001Call the Big Lake School Board meeting to order. Show that all board members are present. First, we need a motion to approve the agenda. >> Motion made by Nelson. >> Second by Sixberry. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. On to the pledge of allegiance. Please stand. 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. >> Kim, did we have anyone for open form? Okay, we have no ready for open form. We're going to move ahead to the consent agenda. Uh the previous minutes from the November 19th regular board meeting, claims and accounts in the amount of 1,471,64.78. Uh the credit card report, the personnel report, the fundraisers, the
002amended SRO contract, and the extended field trip request for girls basketball, wrestling, and robotics. Okay. Motion made by Hancock, second by Sixberry. Any other discussion? All in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. On to donations. I will make a motion made by Brown. A second. Second by Rezner. Any other discussion? All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Financial report. Angie. All right, good evening. We will start with enrollment update and uh unfortunately I don't have good news on enrollment. So you can see I gave you a little bit of history there and also too because we're in the middle of what's called our fall Mars submission. Some of the numbers had been adjusted. Um, so Annie, our MARS coordinator, had given me new reports and so I I provided you the revised numbers because they
003would be different than what you had seen in prior months. But you can see we had that increase um from se from September and October. And what a lot of that increases is Big Lake online because some of the students don't start, you know, they don't start right away. Um but then we've had decreases then from October to November and November to December and so and no trend or it's just kind of across the board. You know, we add some and we lose some. So I there's not really I didn't really see a trend. Um and then so just wanted to share with the board then that so this is where we're at with our average average ADM or average daily membership. The average is 3,36 our revised budgeted that I had done last month
004342. So, we're still six short, but there's still a lot of the year left. I'm still I'm still hoping Big Lake Online that we'll, you know, as we get more students, that should hopefully uh shrink that gap. So, but this is just snapshot in time of where we're at and you can see that graphically on the next page as the that's orange or brown line is lower than the yellow line. And then you can see the trend for the for the three years. So, [sighs and gasps] um, and as for the budget, uh, no budget revisions, but, um, I just did want to, and actually I'll have you go on to the next slide. Um, I want to just remind the school board and the public, um, of of the district's unassigned fund balance goal.
005It's policy 714. And that fund balance goal is 9 to 12% of general fund. And the key word here is operating expenditures. It does not include expenditures in our committed, restricted, or assigned fund balances. And so when you calculate it off our current budget, our 2526 budget, and you and you calculate that unassigned fund balance, it's actually 17.8% and that's after, as you all know, we're deficit spending 2.1 million. So, I just wanted to update the board on that number and where we're at like as of today as a as our budget as of today. And um the last slide I have for the financial report is I I had a board member ask about kind of to quantify the unfunded mandates and we thought all board members would like to to see this and
006um so I tried to quantify um like once I I know we got together as a group and came up with um you know different unfunded mandates. I think the biggest one right now is that paid family medical leave. So that first line, that's the actual tax or I call the payroll tax. Um the district is responsible for 044%. And employees are responsible for the other 0.44%. We are anticipating a lot higher sub costs because we feel like um more employees will be out and so I think our assumption there was that like at least one extra sub in each building and then a floating sub and and or actually no, I think we had two I'm just looking at my notes. I think we had two. I'm looking at my was it one? Okay.
007And um so and that number is really unknown at this point, but I mean we I think one thing we know for sure is those sub costs will will increase also of cost to administer paid family medical leave. Um it is been very time consuming on I would say our human resources staff and and payroll staff. probably more human resources staff right now. Um, and then you've heard me talk about this one, the summerterm unemployment. Now, we are getting funding right now, but we don't know for how long. Um, I look at you, Ashley. I mean, summer, it fluctuates. >> Yeah. When it runs out and and I and it will run out. Um, >> Yeah, that's what I thought, too. >> Right. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, so our our our annual costs
008are roughly $300,000 and again which we've we've had funding but for how long? And um and then the read act and and I I try to quantify some of it. But there again, this is another one that administratively is taking a lot of time um as well. But just with training and um par literacy training and again a lot of administrative time just scheduling and just making sure that everyone's getting the required training. I mean I haven't even quantified that. Um, but I put a I put a yearly total cost. I mean, $817,000 just on on these items, too, or the items I have outlined there. >> This this was in response to your question last month. >> Uh, question for the paid family medical. That's the new act that's coming up. >> Starts January
0091. >> So, it's those are just those costs to implement this program. >> It's been very um can I say labor intensive that? And yeah, and then quantifying because yeah, the tax goes into effect January 1. So our January 5th payroll >> that would have come out of our >> There's no funding for that. Um, do we have anything in place right now to to track I I figure we we have tracking mechanisms in place so we can see comparisons of how much leave and how much time staff is taking versus pre before this act and then after this act. >> I'm I'm curious to see how this impacts leave and >> we are too >> subs [laughter] and things like I would say we are too. That that's the big unknown right now. And
010and um I think we know of some already. Am I right? >> Some some employees that we know are planning. Mhm. Yeah. So that >> Yeah. So that's Yeah, that's something that's never Yeah. Because they they've already had their their babies, but they can take a bonding leave, which is covered under the paid family medical leave. >> And Angie, I don't know if you have the answer for this, but I I saw something on Facebook, and we all know how credible that is. Um uh can staff utilize the paid family medical leave outside of um outside of the school year? So if they're they're when school lets out, they can take it during summer. >> Yes. I'm I'm I'm glad Sue is here. Yeah. >> So they can do their bond so they can have
011that bonding time and stuff during the summer even though they're out of the school season. So, so for unemployment, the only ones eligible for the summerterm unemployment are are uh Perry educators and and Yeah. Yeah. So, so teachers are not eligible for the summerterm unemployment. >> Yeah. So, this would be a separate thing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The state does the approval. The school district does not. It It is out of our hands. And it's Department of Economic Development DE is going to be doing that. All right. And actually, that's all I have. So, um, just need approval of the financial report. >> I oppose. Motion carries. >> Thank you. You are up again. Approve pay 2026 property tax levy certification. show tonight. >> Yes. Yes. So, okay. So, you you you all were present here
012for the truth and taxation hearing. So, the levy as it stands as as what is shown up there, you don't have to go through the whole thing, John, but this is what exactly what was in the truth and taxation hearing in in that PowerPoint. It's a 4.56% increase. It keeps the tax rate constant like I talked about in the hearing. If you would want to go back to the um preliminary levy, which was a 7.53% increase, um you can do that, but it'll be I mean it'll be a tax increase. Um so it really is up to the school board to decide whether you want to keep the levy as is, which is a total of, let me just make sure I got the right number here. um 13,887,8255. If you want to go back
013to what was in the preliminary levy, that amount was $14,28324. Excuse me, let me start over. 14,283,324.94. And that again was a 7.53% increase. So in keeping with what the board has done about stable um what before what's in the packet right now basically keeps that tax rate stable and that's what was presented >> right in the preliminary was actually more but we are recommending the stable which is the lower of the two which is what's represented in the board right now >> and we can still get what we need to do done >> right >> we can still get what we need to do done >> at that lower I mean, I would like to point out just for the public that we could levy more, >> but we're not. >> But we're choosing
014not to at this point in time, >> but we could levy more. We are trying to be very aware of our tax pay. >> Um, but on the flip side of that, we are deficit spending, so we are not >> um we're not necessarily in a position to turn down available funds either. So, this isn't a this is a thoughtful decision and I just wanted to make sure that that was out there for the public that we're we're not going for every penny we can, but that actually doesn't mean we don't need it. We're trying to be respectful of our taxpayers at this point. >> Thank you. Because we're not the city or the county that can just do what we want, >> right? >> [laughter] >> I ability >> I don't think Does anyone
015have a motion? >> Um I do you want me to give you that dollar amount again? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It is 13,887,8255 >> because I I actually need I need that in the motion. The actual dollar amount. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> All right. I motion to approve 13 million. >> Oh, there. Thank you. >> 88255. >> Okay. >> Motion made by Nelson. [laughter] Second by Shabilian. Any other questions or comments? All in favor? I oppose. This motion carries. Thank you, Angie. >> Thank you. So, just an FYI, um I I so I certify this with MDE. I'm So, I'm going to certify it right now. Usually, I do this ahead of time, but being the board at options. Um I'm somehow going to find a printer and then so someone needs to
016sign it tonight. So, >> okay, I can sign it. >> So, if you see me leave for a minute, that's what I'm doing. >> Real quick before you leave, Angie, I do have a question. With the elimination of the penny, does that impact what we're doing? [laughter] There's the elimination of the penny. >> I've heard about that. >> Eliminated pennies. I'm just curious, does that drastically impact our books at all? Possibly [laughter] in favor? >> Do we get like a a variance where we just round? >> Yeah. Can we round up? Right. Yeah. No, I >> I don't [laughter] think it's going to make that much difference. >> All of our expenditures we round down. All of our revenue we round up. Get >> that'll add up a lot. [laughter] >> You never know. Thank
017you for our little comic relief there. >> Uh, now we get to TJ. >> Yes. So, I've got some good news for you. >> We had a exciting bid opening on Friday last week at at 12 noon. We opened up uh bids from five biders for the 2026 roofing projects. Um, and I recommend that we approve going with a contract with Granite City Roofing. They're one of the vendors that did the hail claim. They provided uh quite competitive. I mean, they blew everybody else out of the water really. I mean, they're they're saving us about $440,000 versus kind of some of the >> No, we checked. They didn't miss anything. >> And I were like high. [laughter] I we were in shock a little bit, but yeah, it uh >> it came in below our
018our budget amount. We still have some mechanical disconnect reconnect that we have to include in those costs. >> Um but there is enough room within our our budget of 2.4 million that we should be able to get a price request from them for a change order to do the last remaining. That's about 9 to 10,000 square feet here at the middle school that we didn't include in in this round of roofing. Um, and complete all roofing. So, all roofing will be 100% complete. Um, >> yeah, which is which is a huge deal. >> Not for 30 years. >> 30 years. >> 30 Yeah, it's it's the Tim and TJ retirement plan [laughter] for the roof. >> They're not going to talk about it again. We're not going to talk about roofs again because they'll all
019be warrantied. So, they'll be covered under the manufacturers's warranty. They'll have multi-layers of protection. Um, >> yeah, >> that's great. Great to hear. >> No more buckets in the hallways. >> Correct. No buckets in the hallway. As a matter of fact, we are addressing, you know, there were a couple of hallway leaks still from even previous roofing projects that we'll be addressing that with some additional paneling um as part of this to seal up those through wall flashings that were leaking. So, those existing conditions. >> Okay. >> So, so yeah, great news. Roofing will no longer be an agenda that the board will have to worry about in the future. >> That's good. >> So, >> that's good to hear. So, I just need a motion. >> Yeah, >> we do. It's 1,952,000. They were
020the only one that did a combination bid, which also dropped their price just a little bit further. Not much, but you know, we'll take any little bit that'll that we can. So, >> I can make a motion. Was it Granite City roofing? I'm sorry. Yep. >> Okay. Okay. So, for Granite City roofing for $1,952,000. >> Do I need to state the project or the >> miscellaneous roofing repairs? >> Yep. >> It's the 2026 building improvement building. >> Okay. 2026 building envelope improvement. >> Okay. Motion made by Shabilian, >> second by Brown. Any other questions or comments? All in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you, TJ. >> On to you. >> Joint powers. >> Yes, [clears throat] Madam Chair. Members of the board, as we do on a yearly basis, it looks like January 15th,
021that Thursday at 6 PM in the city council chambers is our annual joint powers meeting. And that is an opportunity for us to sit down with the county, the city, and the townships and share some information. they they a year end summary and we do like a midyear because our fiscal year is off. >> Uh but at that time as we approach that I will ask a couple board members to be present. It's always and not you would have a real active part but you may um if you could ask questions and things like that. So uh just an FYI. So that evening um I'll be presenting something and we will have a plan as we approach that. So we'll talk more about that maybe on the 7th. We'll burn something out then. So um
022is that an action item? Yes. So, I would request that you approve this. >> I will make a motion to approve the joint powers meeting on Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 6 PM in city hall. >> That's okay. Second by 6. Okay. Motion made by Rezner, second by Sixberry. Any other questions or comments? All in favor? I oppose? The motion carries. Uh, school board committee representative updates didn't eat policy. No, it's been quiet quiet month. Building and grounds. No. Uh, school board representatives. >> So, I did attend the staff uh schools advocating for fair funding um general meeting virtually um that was held on the 12th of December. Um, One thing I just wanted to um mention to the board here is there was a presentation on uh the economic uh forecast the state um
023budget and forecast. Um so there is technically a surplus of 2.465 billion in 2627 and that is because there was 4.878 billion left over which you'll notice doesn't quite add up. So they are spending more than they're taking in and they're pulling off of reserves. Um and that leaves a projected short 2829 of 2.96 billion which is $1.8 billion worse than they projected last year. So um in the state world there is not much good news in terms of funding which will definitely trickle down to us. Um the state budget and economic let's see what do they call themselves? the Minnesota Management and Budget Office, they kept referring to a growing structural imbalance. Um um but anyway, I just wanted to make the board aware that um the news from the state is not positive.
024Um and even though you may see it technically stated that there is a surplus for this year, it it's not a real surplus and the next year's deficit is worse than they had previously um anticipated. Um, and then just an update was given as well on the blue ribbon commission um, for special education um, reductions. Um, and I'm sure Minda's already heard thisunately. It seems like ADSIs is um, going to probably be the big loser on that. Um, which a lot of districts including ours um, utilize. So, um that blue ribbon commission is not um finding the savings that they really hoped to and so that is something that will be affecting us as well. Um and then we um are continuing I believe I mentioned the legislative platform last um last but yes we
025just refocused um brief discussion on the legislative um platform for um implementing an equalization credit for some equalization reform. >> Any other meetings? Quick shout out to TJ. He's actually tomorrow going to go visit Ryan over at Right Tech. Just kind of go through some of those things because with TJ's experience, they don't have a TJ over there. So, so TJ um made some time to kind of go help out because if they can serve there. It all helped all of us. So, quick shout out to TJ for helping out. >> Thank you, TJ. Awesome. >> TJ Brian was very eager to have TJ come visit. >> I'm sure. Uh, nothing. No other ones. That was great. >> That's good. Okay, on to your report, Alexis. It was really cool to see you see the
026same kids over We're going to have a hot chocolate bar. So sad. And then this week this year I really enjoy this. marshmallows. So by Friday NHS NHS make sure I go through them all and they like their own personal lives. Merry Christmas. Hi, this is my next concert. And then why do I ask and then all that money goes back to for a while now. And then hockey fans are favorite. [laughter] >> They do have good food at is >> a little bit of a field trip. I'm pretty sure [laughter] concert, you know. is fun. I did that in high school. [laughter] >> Thank you very much. >> Okay, superintendent report. You always get to follow that. >> I know. All right. Uh Madam Chair, members of the board, I just couple items here.
027Uh just quick update on negotiations. We did meet with Bllem last week. Um uh we appear to be at an impass. So they have requests to go to mediation. >> So um I have not heard. I know that they filed. So we don't know when that will be. If I were to guess, my guess would probably be early February, I'm hoping. Um, just because they are scheduled out, but we'll keep you posted as soon as we have a date. And obviously, we're going to talk about more things during the full session tonight. Um, just want to remind the board that on January 7th is our scheduled organizational meeting action-packed this year. Well, every meeting we have is action. Uh but we will be obviously organizing ourselves as a board uh determining meeting dates uh uh
028officers so on and so forth and committees and all of that information. Uh but since we're together I like to kind of stack meetings anyway. So we'll follow up with the work session following and we've got a variety of different topics to talk about but um most importantly I want to talk about that we're going to start our budgeting process. It's going to be kind of a kickoff meeting. So I had a couple board members reach out to talk about budgeting. Obviously we saw some forecast here that don't look necessarily positive. So we want to in front of that as much as possible and we are working behind the scenes to make sure we have all the information that we can by that meeting and it will be a series of conversations. It's not going
029to be the deciding night but it'll be a series of conversations. So stay tuned on that. We'll have more information for you then. Last but absolutely not least, I want to uh acknowledge a few things from around the district. And Alexis, I was going to mention the music and they did awesome. You're right. I was able to go to some of those concerts. I uh I actually sent a nice message to uh um both directors and I told them what my favorite songs were. So, they're really cool. Really cool. I took some pictures and things. So, it was really neat to see at those concerts. But, I also want to add one that I didn't have originally. Uh, last week we had an early out and we had a late start. And I want to
030acknowledge, you know, some of the leadership as well as the, you know, obviously um the students and whatnot did great on those days. But whether you're an administrator or um teachers having to kind of punt a little bit on some of those things and remain flexible, it's not easy. It's not an easy thing. And I know like I know John is here and I know the principles we created some kind of interesting like for example Janna's last lunch became her first lunch to ensure that we could get kids fed before we got them home. People don't know the behind the scenes kind of thing. Uh so I know I appreciate that. So I want to just acknowledge not only administration uh but also those bus drivers. I mean they're actually going out into this stuff.
031So um it's an important piece to acknowledge that as well. So, uh, and last but not least, I also want to thank our parents because I know that is a disruption to the day, but I also know that we do the best we can to keep our kids safe. And, uh, uh, for example, I am currently watching tomorrow. So, and it's stressing me out because it's going to rain or something. I don't know what it's going to do. Sleep or something. So, um, I think we'll be okay in the morning, Alexis. So, don't don't don't start spreading rumors yet. >> Oh, so we want to be on time for that. >> Yeah. So, so yeah, but we'll see. Of course, I'm monitoring this and meeting early on and silly hours and Stephanie is ready for
032communication and all that kind of stuff. But I just want to acknowledge some of those things because those are not easy easy days and easy decisions to make. So >> well and you you visit with the other superintendent so you have special weather. >> Yep. And then I meet with the National Weather Service. They have a they have a group together and I'm part of that as well and I sit on on webinars as well as other area superintendents and there's a whole lot my phone just kind of blows up in the middle of the night on those nights because there's superintendent. They've all got people kind of tracking and going around and doing things. So, >> some do, some do. >> It's just not a You just decided. >> No, it's not like a
033I think we'll call out. No, it's not like that. It's pretty It's pretty well pretty well uh looked into. >> You go cruising at 75 milesPH and you don't wind up on your side, you're you're good. >> There you go. Yeah. [laughter] Well, it was there was a moment, I'll be honest with you, with the early out where I looked out the window and I said to Kim, "It better start snowing soon or I'm going to >> [laughter] >> pretty silly and right right I said I said it was a good car >> where's the snow cuz I just made a big deal we all went through the trouble of res >> because I did not I did not have an early out >> I know >> I did not know where the road was
034when I was home though like bluebird >> day I know well well it it and it and it came quick and it and it was I it was a good call it was a good call uh in the end but like I said we do the best we can to try to keep kids safe. So, um yeah, that's important. So, enough about that. Uh okay, calendar. Just a couple items here. Uh really the biggest thing is is that there is no school from December 20th through January 4th. So, um I know I sent a message to you all. If you need to contact somebody in the district office, it'll be kind of hit or miss. If you need to talk to somebody, I would suggest you just either call or or send a an email.
035Um and then also a reminder, organizational meeting on January 7th at 6:30. MSBA annual conference is January 15th and 16th. So if you're interested, obviously let Kim know. I know there's a couple that usually attend and I know um I'm planning on going and I think Mind is planning on attending this year as well. Um so I think we'll have uh be well attended there. It's a good conference. I would suggest if you haven't had the opportunity to attend, you are absolutely welcome to attend. And then obviously January 15th, we just approved that joint meeting with the city, county, and townships at 6 PM in the city council chambers. That concludes my report unless of course there are questions. >> Any questions? >> Okay. >> The board will have a closed meeting as per permitted
036by Minnesota statute section 13D.03 03 to discuss the big lake schools labor negotiation strategies. I need a motion to enter a closed meeting follow the adjournment of the regular meeting. >> Motion made by Nelson. Second by Brown. Any other discussion? All in favor? I oppose. The motion carries. The closed meeting will commence in five minutes at 7:25 in the middle school students