001We'll call the regular regular to order so that all members are members are present. Lynette is joining us at 1616 California. >> Uh so she's joining all of our votes will be called tonight. >> Um first we need a motion to approve the agenda agenda >> moved by >> second by Hancock. >> Hancock. >> Any other discussion? >> Okay. Roll call vote. We'll start with you. >> Start with you Lynette. here. >> K. >> Six. >> Hi. >> I Hancock >> Nelson Nelson. >> Motion carries. Motion carries. >> Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands. One, liberty and justice for all. We have one open forum. Uh so I will read the rules for open. Uh the guidelines by the
002forum are as follows. Speakers must state their name. Speaker will be provided three minutes. No action will be taken unless the matter addressed formally on the agenda. Speaker will not make negative comments regarding any of the district. The board chair can end the open form at any time. Please note that data privacy do not matter any individual employers. >> Thank you. >> My name is Timothy Meyers. I'm a resident within the Big Lake School District. Thank you for being school board members and I do appreciate your time and dedication. In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed a law allowing school boards, if they choose, to renew an operating levy one time without local voter taxpayer approval. Some school board members from other districts went on record saying they would not vote to do that. Local residents
003have always had that decision and control regarding funding to their schools. However, in January of 2024, the Big Lake School Board voted to take 22.4 4 million of local taxpayers money without our vote. I did not receive a letter in the mail asking for my input, nor an explanation for why the school board did that. Apparently, $22.4 million of our money is not worthy of such a mailing. However, during the summer and fall of 2024, there were articles in the local paper regarding three school district questions on the November ballot asking for an additional $50 million from the taxpayers. Three multi-page color announcements were mailed to each address in the district. Why? Because the school district needed our vote to get that money. Yet nowhere in those articles or mailings did it mention that earlier
004in the year the school board voted to renew the operating levy. I attended the candidates forum in the fall and the truth and taxation meeting in December and there was no mention of it. I was not aware of the school board renewal of the operating levy until February of 2025, only after talking with the district administration. Since then, I've talked to many community members who said they were not aware of what the school board did and could not believe our board would do that. No mailings asking for our input or an announcement of what they did was sent to the district residents. How many residents research board meeting agendas and minutes? I will from now on. >> The voters were clear in November, but should the board vote to authorize a special election, do not
005refer to a survey conducted by the school district unless you can show that each survey was submitted by an eligible voter residing in the district and only submitting one survey, the survey is not valid. If people have told you board members that they feel the district has needs, then ask them for a donation in full to pay for it. Or when they refuse, ask them how the district should get the money other than from the local taxpayers. The school district gets money from the state and federal government and local taxpayers. Just a reminder, the local taxpayers are also the state and federal coffers. $22.4 million. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Would you like a like a printed copy? >> Anybody approach? >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank
006you. >> Thank you. >> And again and again. >> I appreciate I don't want I don't want it on. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> You're welcome. >> Welcome. >> Okay. We'll move on to the consent agenda. The previous minutes from the June 25th regular board meeting claims an account amount of 2,724,7438 the credit card report and the policies below. >> I will make a motion for the consent agenda second by secretary. >> Any other discussion? It will be a roll call vote starting with Lynette. >> I Hancock >> Nelson. >> Okay. The motion carries. >> Motion carries. >> On to the financial financial report. >> Uh yes, >> Madam Chair. Madam chair makes her way up here. I just want to remind the board members if we could make sure phone are you hearing?
007>> Are you hearing? Okay. >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. Good. Good. Good. So, I just want to remind people that it >> all right. >> Can you hear me, Lynette? >> You hear me? >> Yes, I can. Angie. >> Okay. All right. So, very short financial report tonight because it is July and um we're kind of in between seasons here. We're working on our audit um for 2425, but I just thought I would let you know where we are at because we always talk about enrollment every month. So, we're doing our year-end reporting. And so, the 2425 ADM or I just called our enrollment budget. This includes students served and students elsewhere that we pay tuition on. was or is or was 31.99 and then our our June Mars data report is is slightly
008under that. However, I'm not concerned because it's early and I think a lot of other districts have not totally reported. So, I am confident we're going to at least meet or exceed that total number. And then the second bullet point there and this you see every month our ADM served budget. So these are the kids that were serving here 3127 and we ended up about 10 ADMs over. So cuz we were we were trending at the end of the year that we kept gaining kids and so that did end up over our budget. So >> so um um actually we're doing I mean we're doing okay. We should be doing okay for 2425 >> uh 2526 kindergarten update. I think uh I was going to give an update but I don't actually have updated numbers.
009They're actually a couple weeks old. So, I'd like to hold that until um August uh when I have some form numbers. I just put as a placeholder on there when I did this last week. And then, as I mentioned, the financial audit, that year and close audit process has begun. We have auditors here doing some preliminary work Monday and Wednesday. They're not here in Tuesday because they have a training. Um the final field work will be the week of September 29th, which is a week earlier than normal. And then but but as normal I'll do um Caroline will be here doing the at presentation at the November schoolboard meeting which is the week before Thanksgiving. So, and that's all I have for tonight, unless anybody has any questions for me. >> Motion made by Nelson.
010>> Any other discussion questions for Angie? >> K. I >> Nelson >> the motion carries >> LTF. >> Good evening. Good evening. >> Lynette, can you hear me? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, I can. >> Perfect. >> All right. So, we are doing our annual LTFM 10ear plan approval tonight. So, what I have before you is our fiscal year 2027 LTFM or long-term facilities maintenance uh board resolution as well as budget. Um, this is something that we put out every year for part of the LTFM eligibility in order to receive the funding. In years past, we've bonded with some of that funding. And this is one of those low years because we've got a lot of payments with our LTFM plan for the projects that we did previously, which was roofs and HVAC
011over at the middle school in this building. Um, we did a lot of HVAC systems, the boiler room over at Independence and some of those other large items. Um, >> so it's a low year. As far as pay as you go, uh it is primarily going to be our typical health and safety requirements, the inspections and such. And then we have we have a bit of deferred maintenance and it's mainly just some parking lot stuff um which has actually already been completed. So, a little bit of site work. And then we do have as part of this year, we have a pay as you go project for the pool, which was an additional levy authority. Um pay as you go, that's the 1.3 million that you see there under 66. >> And then currently we
012do have due to the change in current legislation, we do have a projected um $2.4 million roofing project. However, that may change depending on other projects if those become available. We just wouldn't have the capabilities. So, um what I'm putting before you is the plan that we'd like to submit to MDE with your approval. Any questions? >> Questions? >> So, one of the things and this is what we did review with the buildings and growins committee and John has it up there right now. So, if you if you kind of scroll through the full 10 years, um we just we want to make sure that ending fund balance is always positive and you can see that it is we don't want to be presenting you a plan that's going to put us in a deficit.
013So this is our plan right now as we know it it changes every year but annually we are required to have have the school board approve this >> plan >> because originally our put it through last month however we had some other things that we needed to get some further information The state hadn't finalized the legislation as well. So there was kind of a damper. >> So the 207 >> that would be addressing our remaining roofing sections that are in dire need that are coming up. Um if we were to not do them, I'd have to just defer them for a little bit longer. So we'd have to continue to patch those current roofs. Um, so we've got three buildings that are not complete. So we've got a little bit of roofing at Independence, mainly
014the 1987 section of the building. So that building, there's three sections. Um there's a couple of sections in the portion of this building, the middle school, as well as a couple of portions of the 1987 building um that have some older rubber roofs on them yet. Um that had been replaced once before, but they've done much thinner, um material, and we've been putting in builtup roofs that are 30 plus years. Instead of a 10 year roof, we're going 30 year minimum roof. And then there's a little bit at the high school, mainly the gymnasium, which is kind of a key one. We don't ever want that to leak because there's a pretty big investment there on that wood floor. And then the uh wrestling roof as well. So, >> and those were not were not
015able to >> I didn't I read the report >> currently. Yeah, those weren't be able to be done with the previous bond >> and they they were less than 20 years old at that time. some of them. So, >> and now they're they're over the 20 year mark and they're starting to age and this new funding became available as well. So, >> we were just talking about and this plan is compared to when this came in >> and you'll see it kind of predict to be honest with you the most accurate are basically maybe two years. So beyond that kind of like when you play your longterm planning your planning uh you think we're going to be this year this will be this that this really apprilay with the delay from nomination And every school
016district I miss you on this happen. >> Thank you. I just wanted to clarify why it was >> we did a portion of the really >> the worst of the worst. >> We're getting down there right now. We're looking at >> hopefully with this finish up. >> All the roof sections will be good for 30 years, which means some will mean some probably about >> 206. So I should be long retired. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> We need a motion. Correct. Correct. I'll make that motion. I'll make that motion. Motion Motion made by second. >> Any other discussions or questions? >> A roll call Brown >> Ian Hancock Nelson Nelson. >> Okay. Motion >> pass. Thank you. Uh resolution referendum referendum revenue calling special. Uh yes madam chair madam chair members
017of the board this was actually in front of last short on a few members last month last month we decided delay and uh so glad was able to join able to join us across the country so that we can have basically basically the boarding we want to make sure that the board is in support well aware of this resolution this resolution standard about a year ago we had one very similar to this except it was special election because it was General just to highlight a few items there. Obviously the first question have it actually lists the questionific does allow allow table table that includes the questions of money tax so as well as well as a place which we'll be talking a little bit about in terms of that but the special >> early voting
018location whatot Uh but generally generally speaking it's all in order and I would recommend approval. >> I'll just add to Tim's comment too like in here also it says that this is contingent upon a positive review and comment and we've already gotten those results. that we already has. >> Yeah. And as Tim mentioned there, yeah, the notice of special election is in here that will go to the taxpayers sample ballot is in this resolution. >> I'll I'll make the motion to approve the special election. >> I'll motion made by second by Nelson. Any other discussion? >> Any other discussion or questions? A roll call vote >> I >> motion the resolution >> the resolution passes. >> Thank you. >> Um >> community discussion. >> Uh yes madam chair madam chair members of the board I
019did send this out and it might be earlier. This has been a journey. This has been a journey to say the least. >> To say the least that it is a draft for discussion purposes only at this time. >> I can tell you I can tell you that my conversations actually I received and I forwarded to board chair as well the director food shelf and she has assured us of their commitment to this partnership. It's just they have to have their attorneys take a final look at this. And I explained to her timing perspective, it's imperative that we are communicating with our constituents. And I said that we are going to communicate with our constituents press release after this saying that shelf is committed and she said go for it. So our communications we'll discuss
020at the session later tonight actually includes portions of descriptors of the food shelf partnership. So, I'm excited. I'm excited for that partnership because I do think that will add a great uh great service great service for our community and opportunity for our students to learn. So I just want to take I just want to take the time to publicly acknowledge this in fact is agreement agreement. I'm not asking action but I do want to just public and make sure that we publicly has committed all that unless there are specific questions we can but I just need to have we need to have that as a placeholder so that we can communicate it with public. Any questions about that? >> Uh, moving on to the res. >> madam chair, members of the board, I should just
021take a second section of the agenda. >> Yes. Yes. So this is the location which is going to be essentially the district office. We did this last fall election election. So they voted for voting on what government center special election location but it also establishes that resolved that they located established the school district's office door location for our early voting. You know, we're working on logistics of that logistics of that as as of right now. >> Right now that is that is our location and we would appreciate approval. >> I'll make a motion resolution for school district. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Motion made by by any other any other discussion. >> Okay. Roll call. Vote. Vote. >> Brown. >> I >> The resolution passes. >> Next one. Next to establish. >> Yes. Yes. What
022this resolution does. Kim has assured me that he will have the list of names by next month. They approve that next month as well. And again, this is something we have to do special. >> Okay. Motion made by >> second by hand. >> Any other discussion? >> Roll call. Call Brown. I >> I resolution >> the resolution passes. >> Uh next we have second readings of those policies >> listed. Uh yes, members of the board. I know I sent these out ahead of time as well. I did not board members that there were questions assured me and actually specific question but I did not receive any it's important for the board to not only have an aware of that question about certain things awareness is key here which is why we try to have them
023view them on an annual basis. So if there's specific questions other than that we can just we can just move on. Were there any >> there were some minor updates from what I understand? And then we also put in the >> dog. >> Yeah, it was. And then middle school um added just a couple of things that they have, but they made it just a little bit clearer about water bottles and blankets. >> So they just made that a little more articulate for middle school might have been a lot used when they separated things out. did a nice job >> and also two and also two work session work session extensive work session was very helpful it was very helpful so that makes it very minimal changes this year >> all four together >> okay
024school board committee >> committee representative >> representative updates >> finance we haven't met since then we haven't met policy buildings and grounds last week Yeah. Is TJ going to take it or just want me to >> I was going to say we talked about bond projects gave us gave us an update on the budget. Um the middle school media center renovations discussed that and how that's going. Um and then we touched on special education um renovations that we might be just pausing on that time. >> Um and then really really uh the h the ha claim progress update on that as well that as well. >> He did a really nice job with that. Um getting some additional funds for depreciation back the school district and then finally the LTFM >> um just kind of
025renewing the 2027 plan for that we were going to tonight's put a lot of work into this >> just keeps us really really I appreciate that. >> Yeah. One of the biggest concerns is the middle school um contractors been falling behind and we've been going for after them for some performance kind of stuff as far as following up with not getting necessary documentation on time, not getting enough work done on time. Um last month when we met demolition was ongoing. They were walls up. There was still one major wall that needed to come down. We've been pushing them and pushing them to get that major wall down. Wall is finally down. Um, but they need to get structural steel in there so they can finish rebuilding. So they have fallen behind and we've been pushing
026them. They've been working weekends. >> They have been working a little bit later hours. I'd like to see them working basically like two shifts almost around the clock ideally, but >> we don't necessarily dictate all those things. We can only push as hard as we can and we are working with W and the uh bond company. So we will be probably going after some other performance bond or we have to we can go after all of it. Um >> but at this time we did decide that it is best to not have them address the special ed areas that we had wanted to have them also addressed. We're kind of late in the design because we have to get everything else out to bid. So we will have to bid that as a separate project
027for next summer. Um what that does too is it actually allows us a little bit more opportunity to maybe put a little bit more into it because we couldn't get a plumbing permit in time. be able to separate the restrooms >> which would have been much more ideal. So we can at least put that in an alternate um when we do reissue >> um and we shouldn't have nearly the concerns. It'll be a smaller project so it may open the door contractor >> hopefully not this contractor. If this contractor was low again I would highly recommend that we >> disregard their their bid. I think we'd have more than enough sufficient evidence um for the auditors to be able to disallow their bid if they were low bid just based on their current performance with
028the issues that we've been having. So, um right now we will probably have opening of schools that will not allow students to be able to use the media center for probably that first week. I'm just kind of bracing for that. We're hoping for the best. We're pushing to try and get that done and out of here when our school starts, but I think we're also planning for the worst. So, I'd rather plan for the worst >> and have better results. >> But at this time, this is probably going to have kind of like when you're in the shopping mall and store closes and they they put the little template that opening. Um and then we'll also have to also put out some communication to the parents of the middle of the middle of that process
029and we'll require all contractors to check in with the office and they'll actually have a separate entrance but um there could be some active construction. It would be more just finishes at that time but it will delay some of our >> our opening of that space. So we'll be having to push back furniture getting the books getting the books in place. There's performance >> there's performance issues and things like this is there is what we're able to hold them accountable >> we have the performance bond which can hold them account >> just for them not on time. >> Um >> we do have they can't come to us and ask for more money because of their unforeseen circumstances or because they weren't able to get it done on time or whatever. If it cost them
030additional coming out of their pocket um or they can go after the bond and if they if we go after the bond, >> it essentially keeps them from being able to do any public work in the future because you're required to have bonding >> and if you go after their receive money, >> bonding companies don't like to issue bonds to companies that fail. failed. So >> it either a will be really expensive or impossible >> impossible. So one of the two >> one of the two they become >> they become highly motivated to make sure that they get it done with fidelity >> and I've been working with TJ the past couple weeks he's been really good about meeting with Mark with Mark on a system basis together but we just reached a point to
031where essentially unrealistic for us to be able to open up that first week of school and I can assure you TJ and been doing everything they can to try this process along but for whatever reason construction company plus things and all kinds of but they are working on them but like I said at this point we'll have a regulatory signing on that and so I know that I know that Mark is aware >> Mark is aware we'll make it work >> we'll make it work because that's what we have to do >> it will be a grand opening >> grand opening >> just not forun >> you know we've been fortunate all along on projects that we have done in the last five years. Years >> we've been able to get them done on time
032under budget or within budget. This one >> still going to stay up that budget but uh on time is I think not obtainable at this point just based on their current performance. >> So it's unfortunate managing project >> for you. >> Yeah. It's a little bit more of an overseen when you're having to tell them that no that's not you need to have the stock cutter here by tomorrow otherwise you will not make this date and this date and this date >> I shouldn't have to hold your hand >> and do your job for you sometimes that's what it takes >> appra I love it appraise It is what it is. >> It is what it is. >> Thank you. >> So that was also we had some special education rooms that we were looking
033to renovate. But >> we held off planning the renovations. We were hoping to do that as part of >> the bond additional bond. So that way we get to hopefully get some savings on kind of the scale um if we been doing the field. So we didn't start the planning until after the bond faondiled >> because we were hoping to be able to tie all those things in as well as it could have displaced our current area as well. as well. So then that would have kind of led to further further changes. When that did not happen, >> we had to get further media center of it >> plan >> and then work with the staff special education. So we were issuing that price request request a change >> and kind of progressing showing enough
034progress >> you can tell them cancel them not being able to get this done our bond pass um it may have as well as because we could maybe incorporate some other work. We did have some other special needs may be able to expand that further at that time. We do have dollars aside that I have now back in the budget >> and then we had some remaining kind of contingency for kind of other items that we could also as well. So we're going to have roughly about to $400,000 for the special education space. >> We had kind of figured some kind of current plan 350. It'll be an excellent project. But >> those were those tour. >> It just doesn't just doesn't make sense to have a company that can't complete one job start. So
035I think I think the call to hold off was a good Yeah. >> No. No. So, so no matter what, >> no matter what happens in November, we'll be able to still >> get that area a little bit further to make sure we address any other kind of items as well at that time or if there's any other smaller spaces that are part of million dollar, you know, set aside general education. We could expand those areas, >> take care of those projects at the same time. >> And we could also field house. >> Any other question? Any other questions? Thank you. >> Were there any other right in July, but I can say that the new director Brian Noter has started and we'll be meeting with him um as board members. So that'll be coming
036up >> and I I was so neighboring neighboring assigned to new people. So I was asked I was asked yesterday. >> Okay. On to the current evaluation. >> Um um printed off as a reminder. Um the first goal we had talked about uh to achieve the world in the district. Um and we shared with us shared with us um that he ensured resources measures to increase to increase student achievement. I think we had a lot of discussion about how we got a really great team together and to help achieve those goals. Uh we also we also talked about goal creating a positive environment staff culture staff supportive and brought for that school around that to help with that. Um so we did talk about items items and then the last we had talked about family
037and communication engagement. Um um and the superintendent will deposit and that education uh the board around facilities and financial aur. >> Okay. I have it till late. I'm just saying. >> Okay. >> On to the superendent report. >> Madam chair, members, members of the board, I do have a report, so don't worry. Thought you thought I was going to say n first of our district committee advisory recruit. So um the time frame for just letting us know for the first night. >> So if there are individual individuals interesting obviously we meet >> I asked this I asked this this afternoon >> three times. Three times. >> Three times or as >> or as needed. >> Yes. Yes. Uh throughout the year school board meetings for different presentations. So just putting that word out. putting that
038word out to the public to do that negotiations. There's nothing necessarily important other than July >> session >> Next week there administration association. >> Is that right? >> Yes. That would be the principal. >> just received a letter from propos. So we'll review the letter and take county and Chelsea in the future. We literally we literally just received that yesterday. So that's so >> um referendum referendum a couple things couple things I'm going to say most of my comments discussing session work session but I do want I do want to just mention originally originally we had planned our November work sessionth >> November 5th but that does not >> but that does not necessarily make sense when we meet later and we can have the votes >> so So respectful respectfully ask you all to
039take a look at 12th work sessionthmber 12th >> which would allow us allow us for the votes >> is that something that could work >> couple time work session time is 6:30 So we will go ahead and we'll go ahead and move that 12 date. Kim >> and then also just want to make the board aware I do have to research research on this request while Hannah >> at the city uh to present which is going to be fine but the problem is that their meetings are at the same time as ours. So we may I just want to put it on just a heads up September September and I would like a few board members well like >> I think I think they do but I don't know when it might be that just
040on your radar >> just on your radar but I would obviously communicate it to differenti given the fact that the case >> um so and then also and also the district I'm delay after the work show you >> I'm not going to show Stephanie >> Stephanie and show but I'm going to delay this from the district >> uh but calendar we got a couple things happen negotiations 5 to seven scheduled >> unless of course we settle close to it >> so you never know >> so uh Also, also August 13th board work session undetermined what the agenda item is, but I am sure we will have one. So, I'm not worried about that, but stay tuned on that. We'll call that a cliffhanger at this time. >> Uh, new teacher work. >> New teacher workshop
041is August 18th through 21st back to school workshop, August 25th to 28th. And I want to draw your attention draw your attention to August 26 all staff breakfast from 7:30 to 9's been there a few times a few times as well. Um it's a nice one all of the employees are concerned in one space. So it's really kind >> and uh we do we do kind of activity at the circle of the auditorium and it's pretty encourage if you're available if you're available I don't >> uh but if you are available but if you are available check it out it's a good breakfast by chartwell and >> it's a good presentation usually so and then of course our reges my course of course there question. >> Oh, I did want to follow I did want
042to follow up with one question was asking uh I know earlier in the summer principles did a uh home school information uh earlier in the summer and it was pretty well it was pretty well attended in terms of handful of people but I think there were some additional wondering and come forward and interested in another one I know today one of those indiv one of those individuals trying to figure out trying to figure out if it makes sense for us to hear this next month or so or maybe even in September. So that's that's on docket in terms but he's so and he was kind of >> he was kind of one of the schools that led that >> it was pretty wellended >> it was pretty well attended and it was a great a
043great connection with that particular >> that particular group >> oh you do >> okay >> we should we should take a look at August then probably like the 26 >> I think I would prefer the if possible. >> Can you say that again, Tim? >> August August 26 >> for the board meeting Tuesday instead of conflict the regular board to regular board meeting. >> Okay, >> I would like that. I can't I don't know if you if you care about me, but I can't make my team. >> Well, we definitely care about >> We definitely care about you. >> No, I mean I mean you know what I meant. >> Yeah, I know what you mean. >> PJ John financial it would be I would because I can get the information >> voted. >> Okay.
044>> You email me ahead of time. >> Okay. >> so uh >> Chelsea 26 I might have to rent out earlier. I might go a little late. I've got a couple things going on, but >> Lynette, how does your 26th look? >> I would rather the 26th, please. >> Okay. >> So, it's looking like the 26th August board meeting. I'll change that >> and I will send these out. >> I will send these out on my updates as well, just as reminders. >> So, Okay. >> So, got to change my calendar. >> All right. Right. >> I know. I know. Okay. Okay. That that unless there's questions. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And I I in my weekly update last week, I said I have a meeting with them at 9:00. 9 o'clock. >> No, it's
045next Tuesday. Linda and I are meeting Tuesday, right? 9:00 next Tuesday. >> I was curious. >> Yeah. And they reached out on a couple topics. One was needed some information are required with them for title >> as well as I reached out with them in regards to transportation. Again, those are all those are all the pieces that you required to >> cooperate partner with for with private schools. And then also too because we radius >> they are they are they wanted other plan but at this time at this time it's looking like it's like a separate separate we'll have the conversation >> I met them at the community fair and both and I both met them we'll sit down we'll sit down have a cup of coffee and start next Anything else? >> Anything else?
046>> I will make them so discussion. >> Second by. >> Any other discussion? >> Okay. Roll call vote. >> I rezer. >> I Okay. A standing meeting is a journey.