001Byron Independent School District number 531 on March 24th at 6 o'clock. Have our attendance. Yep. Jeremy here. Alicia here. Nadia here. David here. Kelly here. If you'll rise and face the flag for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Vision is Bern public schools, a community of learners committed to making the world a better place. mission is to learn, share, innovate, inspire. And our priorities are to personalize learning in the pursuit of academic excellence, inspire students and staff to develop their character, share their talents, and apply their learning, and maintain excellence in resource management. Uh, I did not receive any visitor cards. Did anyone else Okay. All
002right. Um, look for action or discussion. Uh, approval of agenda items. Any questions or discussion? Move to approve the agenda as presented. Second. Okay. Motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. We'll dive into our reports with the superintendent report. Yes. So, um, for this past month, uh, schools are moving into fourth quarter. Today was a staff development day. And so now it's fourth quarter and it goes really fast with uh all the testing and everything done has happens in the fourth quarter. It goes fast and then all of a sudden before you know it graduation happens and all the picnics and all the fun stuff happens. So um I want to just say thank you again to all the all the staff for all the great work for
003the first three quarters. And um remember that we will have spring concerts happening as well as uh sports and graduation on May 23rd. Um I also want you to to know um that in the last couple weeks that we have complete information for the MDE office of inspector general. We had a request um they wanted to look at our fund two um food service. Um by looking at our audit they saw a substantial increase of $92,000. And remember we have fund one which is our general fund, fund two which are is food service. And uh they they just um noticed that because we had a $2 million decrease. They want to know why our fund service fund food service went. And we you know it's a little confusing, but we answered their questions. um showed
004that uh we had an 18% increase um in our breakfast or in our lunches and we had 160% increase um in our breakfasts and so that in itself then when you put those into the state and you get the money back and so forth that's why the the increases and so forth. One thing that um they want us to do is because we have uh we are on the federal um program for K through 8 that um they want us to keep all of our expenditures and revenues separate because 9 through 12 is their own program at this time. And so um and we haven't we haven't done that but that's something that we need to do from this point on. So they're working with uh the business office to be able to do that
005so that um and Taher so that any the all expenditures and revenues are separate between the two food accounts. So um and then we also uh have a phone call coming up in the next couple weeks with uh S&P Global. That's the group that does our um bonding and so forth. And remember when Jeff Cely was here, somebody asked, "Is this going to affect our ratings?" He said it might. Um, so they called and said that they um had they saw by our audits and so forth that um they want to um talk to us, interview us again. So myself, Dan, uh Jeff or I'm not sure if Jeff will be there, but two people from Ellers will be there with us to kind of answer their questions and so forth. And then they will
006determine that in the future if our bond rating is less is goes down from a double A or a a double A negative is what it is. So um again it's something that they feel they need to do that just to kind of go through the process. It shouldn't affect anything that's out that we have out right now. It would affect future borrowing. If we went if you went out for a bond later on or future building and so forth, then it might affect that rating at that time. But we um I think it's a April 7th is when we have that meeting with them. So I'll keep you posted on on how that comes out. Um the Verizon Tower, do you remember we've been dealing for those that were on the board? Unfortunately, I
007will say that we have been dealing with this um it was a contract that was signed in 2017 um without a sunset date. And so they are now saying that um they want to and they came last year um and they would like to put up that tower um starting this this summer actually and it's right going to be next to the the right field or uh left field fence in the um next to the baseball field and um so that where it will be the district the district will receive $7,000 a year and then after 5 years it goes up 10%. % and um and and does and then each five years and goes for 25 years um is what that had that that agreement said. I did look it over or have our
008attorneys look it over um and they said unfortunately there's nothing that we can do. Uh we just but there is a um they are going uh next week on Tuesday the 1st. Um, and I know you will be in interviews, but anybody who wants to go to the city planning meeting at city hall, um, they're meeting with um, they're going to do their their plan there and then the following week will be at the city council meeting if it passes through the city planning. So, anybody that wants to go and talk about a Verizon tower behind us and can certainly go and speak to the city uh, the city planning uh, um, commission. So that happens next week. Also, we did have radon tests completed at the high school and primary school. We have these
009on a rotation and so this year it was a high school and primary school and you have to do it during um the heating season and so they just recently uh completed those and we passed our high school and primary schools passed the radon tests. So um they will be good for I think the next three or four years. Like I said, we're on rotation with schools. Uh seniors present their life plans uh the last couple weeks before spring break. Uh the seniors were presenting their life plans as part of the um the profile of a graduate. And uh if you had a chance to come up here and sit with some seniors, talk about their life plans and what they want to do with their future. And my question to them was always uh
010you know, a lot of them have been here for seven, eight years or longer. and and so what you know what can we do in in Byron um for for kids and and to be better and actually a lot of them said nothing they really enjoyed their experiences and um some of them are pretty pretty cool what they're going to be doing so and then the uh congratulations to girls hockey um and then uh Dodge County Wildcats for winning their first ever state tournament championship they beat War Road in overtime And last year they lost to them. I I believe I don't remember it was overtime, but uh this year they beat them. And this is the first time in team history that they've won a state championship. And congratulations to our boys basketball team
011for winning the section oneA championship and then participating in a state tournament. Uh unfortunately they lost in quarterfinals to a tough Alexander team, but um they turned around. I don't have it in this one, but they turned around, won the next two games, and won the consolation championship. So, congratulations, Mr. Finny and and to the boys. Um, that was awesome. I did get it into the buzz, though, so I made sure I got into that. And then congratulations to Mr. Swanson, the veteran middle school principal, was recently named the Southeast Middle Level uh principal of the year for the uh MASSP, which is Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principles. So if he chooses he can go on and complete more paperwork and be considered amongst uh the eight districts the eight regions in the state
012and then they will choose the the state principal the middle level principal of the year if he chooses to go for that and that would happen I think it's in January of next year is when all that happens. So he fills out the paperwork and does all and interviews and stuff in this in the fall. I also want to thank uh Deputy Jacobson. We recently were informed very recently that uh the Homemstead County Sheriff's Department that Deputy Nate Jacobson, our school resource officer, I think he's been here two, three years now. Um he's done a great job, but he's moving on to a different position. So, we are going to have a new SRO, uh Michael Dirks. Uh and he'll be transitioning in the over the next few weeks with uh Officer Jacobson. And uh
013and so I just want to thank I spelled his name wrong. I want to thank Officer Jacobson for all of his hard work. He builds great relationships with kids is around and you see him at all the evening events and those sort of things and and the kids love him and so I I appreciate all the work and and that he's done over the last three years. Enrollment, we're presently at 2331 for this year. Um but remember for 2526 we are presently at 127 kindergarten students. And so we're at 2331 right now, but if you rolled every every grade level up from from now, um we're at 2275 for next year. And so that will make a a significant impact on on the school district. So any questions regarding this? Um, I did hear from
014a community member about the cell phone tower and I know that you discussed this probably at nauseium before I was officially on the board. Um, but I just want to verify there's nothing else the district can do. Correct. Nothing else at this point. So if if people have concerns, it has to be approved by the city now. Is that So they bring their plans and everything to the city council and uh it'll have to be the city that says no. and and Al Rotor uh city administrator did a great job and trying to help us find a different place and help them find it but it's not high enough or it was too close to their their other tower. It has to be a certain distance away and so we tried a lot of different
015options but uh when they signed it in 2017 they didn't put up a sunset date that had to be up by a certain time um that I I believe Dr. Page from my understand had asked them to to wait with it because of the uh when they were thinking about first doing it in 181 1920 they were um looking at um the the building bond and and putting fields behind here. So they didn't want to have them put because they didn't have the exact plan yet. And so now that all the construction is done, those are out there. Now it's like, okay, we want to put up our tower. And there's and there and there's only a couple spots back here that's available because it can't be too close to a property line. If it
016it were to tip over or whatever, it can't be fall into somebody else's property. And so there was only a couple spots right back here that that could fit. But we tried everything. So, the suggestion would be to go to the city council planning or or to the um city council meeting. Okay. Or the city planning commission and and state their concerns. Okay. So, thank you. Do we have any old or unfinished business? I don't think so. Sorry, I have a few more questions. Yeah, sure. Sorry. Um, thank you. So, for the school lunches, I did not follow that explanation. Why do we have more breakfast before? Because remember LA this was for last year the 2324 school year and that's when the free lunches came back and and so we have we we our
017our breakfast has gone upund I say 16% or so and 160%. So then we we put that into the state and then that's where we got the money the extra money and as part of that as well because it the free meals breakfast and lunches began the beginning of last year. So this is our total cost or is reimbursement we're getting from the state. That's the reimbursement that's additional. We we made an extra $92,000. The problem with fund two is that you can only spend the money on things that deal with, you know, like ovens or tables or some that deal with the cafeteria, the food service. So, it's not like you can take it and put it into your general fund. Okay. Yeah. Thanks for explaining that there that was previous year. Um, and
018this is something new that we just have on this new um enrollment report. It says that there's a wait list for a few grades. Is that um what's the process there? Um and it's for the grades where we already have full classes admittedly. So, um I just wanted So, what we what we do in those if there's a wait list, then we'll come back in April at the April meeting and we'll take a look at where we're at at that point and um admit anybody or accept any open enrollments at that point. if they are and they're only on a wait list if there's more than 180 in a grade level already and then they're put on a wait list and then so we usually do it in January and then we do it again
019in April and then in May. Um and then usually we'll see if there's anybody left in in uh June. We try not to go into July because it gets pretty late for scheduling and for parents to know to wonder if they're going to be in or not. So we'll reook at that again in April. Thank you. All right, we'll move on to new business, the discussion and action on the November 2025 operating referendum. Yes. So, thank you. And um signed into an account from another tab. Uh to do it this way, I think. Um anyway, uh so let me Is there a way I can fix that, Tim? Do I have to just go in and sign? Let me see if I can do it this way. You're Tim, right? I'll do I just probably
020have to do it differently here. Okay. So, the um I wanted to just briefly explain kind of the history of what's happened over the last year and then talk about the Byron uh for Byron school district to go out for a referendum this fall. Um this is brought up by the steering committee when we met um because they they would like to get start think about communications start trying to recruit people to be part of that committee trying to have um community members and so forth about so this is a very high level and what I'm looking for tonight is not not the details about how much you would go out for or anything like that but the questions would be it's just that uh approval that the board is going to go out for
021a referendum in November that and and that people who are starting the planning can go ahead and plan. They didn't want to get so far in front and then not have the board um say they're going out for a referendum. So, it's kind of we're at the point now where things have to start happening and so we needed to have this approval after the presentation looking for approval that says you will be going out for a referendum in November and then later we'll decide on on on the the cost. So, so just a quick reminder, remember that um we went out for we had to cut $1.6 million in 2023 um in 2023 for to balance the 2024 um school year. Um and then the the m the negative 1% or less than 1% the
022district's unassigned fund balance dropped from 8% to less than than 1% after the 2024 school year. Um, we went out for a referendum last November. It was for $800 per student and that would bring in about $1.9 million a year and it was set for two years. It was $800 per student with inflationary increases each year. Um, and and it failed 58% to to 42%. Um and as you look at the budget in December uh this past year um we ver after verifying all the numbers our 2425 district budget was confirmed to be very close to balanced and then this corrected previous information that if you remember your preliminary budget last year said even with the $1.6 million we'd be still a million dollars short after this year. A million dollars more. But with um
023everything verified and all the numbers moving forward um that is again being somewhat balanced. So that was a a huge uh a great thing for this district moving forward. Currently our revenues and expenditures as you've seen on reports um are on track to maintain that balanced budget um for this year. So, some of the challenges ahead, uh, legislative funding for our schools, um, for next year, we know will be 2.74%. Um, providing approximately about $172,000. Dan brought that up, uh, and talked about that, uh, at the last meeting, but remember that 2.74% is only on the student formula. It's not it's only on about $18 million of the $28 million budget. And so um you know so that we're not making and that's with the decrease um projection that we have in enrollment. Uh so
024uh you know that's going to be a challenge and we talk about the decrease in enrollment this year we have uh 174 seniors graduating and about right now we have 127 um in kindergarten. So we're hoping for a few more to come. Another one is uh remember in 23 24 we had 28% increase in health insurance. We have a 29% increase for this year in health insurance. Right now we're projected last time we talked to the insurance company to be around 20%. We're hoping to make that a bit less but that's but we're having another meeting scheduled or will be scheduling another meeting in midappril. So we will have a better idea as we go uh into negotiations as the district goes into negotiations what that increase will be. Uh we will speak about negotiations
025have for five employee groups and uh the teachers, the administrators and the pair of professionals and directors are all groups that have negotiations and the support staff. Remember they're on a an agreement at will agreement. So they don't necessarily negotiate, but you will have to look at their contracts and look at possible increases for them as well. So, and the district must continue to increase its unassigned fund balance to uh to meet the policy of the policy goal of 8%. So, as you are working on your budgets and working to increase your revenues, you have to keep that in mind that you got to get that back up. May not be all in one year, but you know, maybe over several years, but you got to try to get that to 8%. And also remember
026that in smaller districts it might be better to be closer in a district this size of 10 to 12%. But the board policy is 8%. And then some possible unfunded mandates that we're hearing from the state. There's some new course requirements that we have to do. Um there'll be the p the paid family leave. They're still trying to figure that out. Um and how much we would have to to pay. Right now it's up to a last time I heard it was a 888% um tax and that if that split between the employer and the employee like like they say it would cost us around 60 to $70,000 for that.44%. If it if it ends up being the if you that's part of negotiations if it ends up being the whole thing now you're looking
027at about $120 to $130,000. So, um, but they're still working on that on that at the capital and still trying to figure that out. And then the unemployment insurance for our, um, pair of professionals and bus drivers, the elderly employees over the summer. The last two years they had $135 million set aside and it covered the last two years, but right now there's only about 25 or $30 million left and it won't it won't cover everything. Last year we paid about $138,000 or so in our unemployment and we were reimbursed from the state the last two years. But again, um they talked about adding another $35 million to that pot, but at some point, you know, if that's just um you know, pushing it down the road and those sort of things. cuts. So that's
028a big something to watch because that will be a big hit on school districts is that unemployment insurance if that continues and they don't continue to fund that. Hopefully they'll give us that give school districts the $35 million or at least make it through this year. But they know that if they don't increase it, it what they have left will not make it this year. So then that will fall back on school districts to make up the difference. And then we also need to upkeep capital needs and facility maintenance. Um things like will um Jen Hagna will be coming in the next few meetings to talk about technology and the needs including like phones and so forth. They're coming out of date in the next couple years and some of those challenges that the district
029will face. roofs. We're having our roofs being uh evaluated to see which which ones need the most work and how much that costs and those sort of things and try to prepare for that. We'll have the facilities committee look at that um when they meet right in the spring. And then same thing with parking lots. These are things that the facilities uh committee some of it can be done with LTFM. Some of it's being talked about at the state legislator about adding more money or being able to levy for like roofs. Um but remember the LTFM our environment is still $800,000 um in the negative because of what was borrowed the 1.5 that was borrowed eight years ago. We have now worked it to um $840,000 I believe it is still in the negative. We
030want to get that out of the negative as well. So um but you you'll want to keep an eye on those capital needs in those facilities. Those are some big ticket items. And Byron is not alone. I I shared this with the board in an update, but I wanted other people. This is something that was shared with uh our superintendent group and around. But you can see it starts with the lowest enrollments goes up to the highest enrollments and you can see um how much uh you know people are reducing for next year or adjusting. I think the word they use is alignments. They're realigning next year. But you can see that. And this is just the ones in southeast Minnesota or southern Minnesota. So we are not alone. A lot of people are facing
031the same types of situations. Maybe not as as high. But if you look at some of those districts that $889,000, you look at for example train $750,000. That's probably when you look at the percentage of their budgets, it's probably comparable to what we looked at for this year. But again, remember we did this over two years, so it was more like a 3.2 over two years. So, but this is uh this was sent out a couple weeks ago to superintendent and I thought I would want to share it with you as well. Um, so as we move into for next year's budgets, uh, because the operating referendum failed, we we did unfortunately have to make $1.6 million in adjustments. Um, and and, uh, that meant a reduction in staff, there's higher class sizes in the
032elementary level. Um, there's fewer counselors. Uh, reductions in supply budgets happen, reductions in some activities and athletics. And um you know so um the I think I mentioned next slide or so there there isn't the lowhanging fruit anymore. Now we're starting to cut off some branches and and it really became more more painful this time. Um even though we had a longer time to plan for it, it's still as you get to that point, you're you're now into your staffing which is really difficult. So a preliminary 2526 budget for next year will be presented to you in June. um the need for a referendum with approximately $3.2 million uh of adjustments over two years. Um we've become significant in staffing and programming. Um without a referendum in place that uh the district will need to
033continue to make adjustments each year and make make cuts. Um it may not be $1.6 million. It may be less or but but it may be close to that. And uh and so you we really need to look at a my recommendation is to look at a referendum for this fall again and we kind of told people in the fall if it didn't pass we'd have to come back and for an operating referendum you can only come back in November's so uh a steering committee has been formed. There's board members there's some admin administrators a teacher and a parent. They're developing timelines. They're talking about communications and they're starting to figure out which uh stakeholders to involve. How do things get move things move forward? The other thing that they're doing is they're gaining information
034from consultants as they build this timeline. What do people who have done this before? What do they recommend? Talked about surveys before. There's different types of surveys. So, they're kind of vetting that out. They're talking about communication, kind of looking at um outside companies that might be able to help with that. Um, so you can see that some things are already being put into place and they want to start putting out some communications, not like how much it is, but just the need, the things we've talked about here and start putting them out in the small snippets in the buzz or in other areas they've talked about. Um and then in the district uh budget committee and the school board um will determine the amount and and the question that would go out probably somewhere
035in May or June. I think it doesn't have to be officially in until the middle of July, but I think it would be best that once people leave for the summer that you know what um you know the board would know where they're going and so that that group can really focus on getting things ready because the big push will be in August when people start coming back. You're going to want everything in place, all your communications, everything ready to go. Um, but the board uh will update uh the website to reflect any information along the way. The board tonight votes just if you're going to go out for a referendum and then without any real particulars besides you're going to go out for the November election and then like it says here, the board
036will vote on a resolution uh for the amount and the question, the exact question somewhere around or before July 1. Again, my recommendation would be you do it at the end of May or or June for sure, early part of June so they they can get things started and going because we have a we have a very energetic group that wants to get things moving. They meet at 7:00 in the morning and because that's when everybody can meet and u but they I again I'm here asking this so that they don't put a lot of effort in a lot of time in and then the board decides not to go out and I think Dan would concur that um the district needs to go out for a referendum again. I don't think you can afford
037not to try to go out for a referendum again this fall. So yeah, I feel like Dan has made it crystal clear over the last few months that um without this we'll be making cuts. No doubt about it. Um and I think we're lucky that our teachers and staff have kept things going when you walk through our buildings right now. Our kids don't know what the adults in those buildings have had to endure, but that is not sustainable. Um and I think without it, it will be really hard to keep our district looking like it is. Yeah, I agree. Do you have any information on if the employees are using the tellaalth if that is having an impact? They were they were starting to use it in the fall. We made another push out. That's
038that's the information that they will present to us in April. Great. To see how much of that teleaalth that we're using and utilizing and we keep pushing out there. We've sent information out. We'll see. Any other questions regarding the information I just presented? Again, it's a it'll be a lot of planning and it'll be a lot of um information being sent out, but do we have a motion to uh take action on the 2025 operating referendum? I make a motion to go up for an operating referendum in November of 2025. Motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. So now we can get to the details on that. Uh update on the superintendent search. Real brief. We did have uh we're very fortunate to receive 14 applications. Uh and
039tonight after this meeting, there'll be a special meeting for us to decide on the candidates that will move into the semi-finals for the first round of interviews which will take place Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Uh discussion on the pay to ride transportation for educational benefits. Yes. So part of our adjustments is that we increased the pay to ride that um last year we started it um for this year it was $75 for in in town if within walking distance a 2-m walking distance and it was $75 per student and uh $150 per family. with the adjustments, we moved that up to 125 per student and 250 per family, but we did not. And then for our um kids who are on open enrollment that that we pick up, we charged them $400 right
040now and we moved that up to $500. We kept the family max at $800. But what we didn't talk about and what um was the students who are have educational benefits and and um who qualify for those. And so, um, in the past and what we did this year, um, it was proved that what we did was had, uh, $125, um, I'm just, oh, it was $50 per for in in the district, instead of paying $75, they paid $50 per student or 125 per family. And for outside the open enrollment, um, they paid 250 per student. um or four or with a $400 maximum. Um the other part though is that there are some families who really um have get more benefits or more reduction and so they're at they were at 185 and 290
041as a and so my with everything going on um and and it really affected it would only affect five to six families for the in in district and maybe 10 to 12 families for out for the open enroll. My recommendation is that you raise the prices for everything else that you would not raise the prices for for these students at this time. That's my recommendation. Um, and if that's if that's fine, you don't have to approve that because that's is it's currently what it is. If you want to increase it or do something different, then somebody would have to make a motion and um and change that at this point. But at this point, I think that we would keep this the the same rates for the students on for the families on educational benefits.
042Any questions or discussion on Do you have a an opinion about it, Dan? It seems like it would affect a very small number of families, right? It's just it's such a small amount. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, we'll just keep it as is and then Val will u get the information out to everybody now about signing up for transportation for next year. So, thank you. Okay. We'll move on to the action on the LPNRN pay range and the support staff agreement. Yes. So, we talked about this at the last meeting and what we need an approval to add a lane or a a category in our support staff agreement for LPN and RNS. And um you can see that the range would be 1740 to uh excuse me $22 to 2775. And this is right in
043the same type of range that other districts are are doing. And then because what we would like to do is um already post for those coming up here in April to see if there are people that would um want to sign on for next school year and um and try to put that out there because remember we will be asking and our preference would be for an LPN or RN. If we don't find somebody then in the summer we would put it out there for a health aid as well. But right now our preference is LPN and RN. So, but in order to do that, we need to put that lane or that category in the contract and then we can um do our our medical uh uh benefits or get, you know, we can
044charge back for some of those and do do that. So, that will help us. um as well as we can take our person who's um technically an LPN right now and put her at that pay scale for the rest of this year and and and get some of that those medical benefits back. So any questions? No, I think we would be foolish not to do this. It will pay for itself probably make us money. I do have a question about the current OPM though. you know, we talked about doing an audit of our third party reimbursement and um Daniel Anthony talked about this. So, I'm glad you're here because I'm wondering um I have felt uncomfortable that we decreased an LSN without really understanding our third party or MA reimbursement. Um we know now that
045we currently have an LPN that we're not getting third party reimbursement for because they are not coded correctly. So, well, they're not in that position. They hold the license here, but they're not in that, but they hold the license and they're doing the CARES. We're not getting reimbured for it. We could be, and we will be once changes, right? Yes. And we haven't been all year. Um, so I'm wondering what your advice is about how we can audit. It seems to me like, you know, we just found out that that LPN was coded incorrectly. It sounds like recently. That's a problem to me. I think we need to do a better job of looking through our third party reimbursement and auditing it somehow. I don't know what that looks like, but do you have any
046experience with that or advice? Well, I think with the we're going to staff it up better in that department. So, that's just now we kind of cut that out and just missed a step there and now we're scrambling to come back. Um, and then next year with a with a dedicated person doing that, it'll be much easier. And of course, if you get a business manager in here full-time, that could be something they can look at, too. For for this year, we can use Zed, the person at Zed who does the MA billing part, and they could help us try to figure that out. Okay. and along with U. Marie uh Marie Kennedy, our special ed director, she can help figure that out as well because they're the ones who are working with the MA
047building. The the reason I really want the information is number one, I obviously we want to get all the reimbursement we can get, but also I think there's probably a very good chance that we'll find that we the RNs and LPNs will kind of pay for themselves versus hiring a health aid. Um, and so I'm glad we're doing this and I hope we do hire LPN and RNs and I can I can tell you that we've had one person already asking when the posting's going out. That's great. So, uh, I'm I'm hopeful in this community that we would be able to to do that as well. Okay. Any further questions or discussion? Um, would look for a motion to take action on the uh, LPN RN uh, category in the support staff agreement. I make
048a motion to um go. Can I just say to take action on the contract or do I need to be more specific? Just to add, you can say uh to make a a lane or a category for LPN RN using the $22 to 2775 pay range. I make a motion to add a LPN RN lane or category to the contract in the pay range proposed. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. We'll uh have a discussion now on the board district operational plan for 2526. So when uh we met last time, we talked about the uh district operational plan and that is something that the each school district each school does in the spring. So um but usually they look at what the board goals will be
049and then they kind of sometimes will move some of their goals around that as well. Not all their goals, but maybe one or two. And so I know I think uh Jeremy had sent out two people um and asked them for you know what their preferences are and then then we met um and then um I put together a draft of what that will look like. Sent it out. Um it is a little bit different in necessarily goals. It's more of what the board will do to kind of keep monitoring and the first goal is the financial stability. The second goal was um student staff and mental health and the third one was the profile of a graduate. So if you looked at it, most of it was the reports that you would get from
050the superintendent or the finance director would would be part of that financial stability. And then the other ones would be reports you would receive from our admin team or our counselors in the building about how things are going. So, when you're having reports each month, those would be the um you could have people come in and give presentations. You could ask them questions, what's going on, keep on top of things, ask them how they could be supported. Um those sort of things keeps the board at a governance level and so forth and keeps track of what's going on. And then the monthly um or the quarterly reports that the principles give would be around the pro um that you see it would be around the profile of gra profile of graduate and again they could
051bring in uh different types of presentations to show the board how the profile of graduate is working in the district and how it's progressing and improving each year. So the board doesn't necessarily have a goal of what you're going to do. It's more of the information you want to receive from the other buildings and so forth and from the admin team and from the personnel in the district so that they know this is what you would expect moving moving forward. Again, this is a draft. Uh doesn't necessarily have to be approved tonight. Uh but if I have an idea at least how to move forward, then when I meet with the administrators, I can let them know here are the here are some of the the thoughts or the focus of the board again for
052next year. And in our conversation, Mike and I, it was more like the board doesn't really have the goals here. It's the admin that has the goals. We just want to let them know that here's our priorities. And by laying it out this way, that's how we came up with how do we keep track of this as a priority rather than what we have. And by seeing these specific reports, we thought would be a much better outcome and and informed information for all of us. Yeah, I like that. I like um I think my concern in past years, the last couple years is we've prioritized mental health and then cut dark um so that these targets are at least realistic. I think um I had a couple other ideas and I don't know now hearing
053you say that I don't know if they fit into this. Um, but a couple other additional ideas, not to replace these, but additional ideas I had for board priorities included something like um, integrity or excellence in leadership and organizational support. And my notes say essential to meaningful relationships with parents, caregivers, staff, students, community members take ownership of actions and decisions. Families and staff encouraged to share ideas and input students with value. Um, I feel like that I don't know. I feel like that's like an achievable goal and something um that I think could be important. And then the other thing I'd written down was um build parent caregiver and community engagement, maintain and grow productive community involvement partnerships, engage parents and caregivers, and recognize effective communication is essential to building relationships. I think our teachers
054already do a really good job, but um I think we as a board could improve and I think we have and are continuing to our access um and I think with the referendum that will be even more important to do town halls and um increase our community. My thought goes to like the second point. Would we say community engagement would be our board priority and then break down like how do we gauge that? Sure. You know what I mean? To to not necessarily make it too vague, but also to what other ideas do our principles have? What other ideas do our teachers have? And yeah, I I don't want to put more work on their plate. You know what I mean? Um, I want their input for sure, but I don't want to create more
055work for them. Um, with, you know, because of red tape we put in their way. Um, but yeah, I think I don't know what you guys think about it. I would say less is more. The more priorities you put, the harder it is to actually make it a priority. If you have if you have I don't know every meeting I've ever been a part of there's always one or two bullet points three at max. If you go any further than that the information is not retained. So if you have four or five bullet points or priorities how can you necessarily prioritize anything at that point? It just it muddies the water. You're feeling the focus would get diluted. Any other questions or discussion? Anyone else have thoughts about that? Well, at the same time, it
056will help us to maintain focus on community relationship and communication. An example, right, the survey that was sent out about superintendent search, right, about the values that we are holding. People in this room thought that the way the survey was to just distributed with dress or reach the intent target audience. It looks like it hasn't. So like we could have spent a little bit more time thinking about that question. Um so I mean adding that more priority given our situation I I don't think it's it's going to distract us from the goal here. But yeah, I do agree that that that what you shared can be summarized into one point as opposed to two. Yeah, I guess that sounds good. I I agree that we can um these are all different enough and I I
057think we can I think it would be okay to add a fourth, but what do you guys think? How many? No, we we've had four in the past, but I mean, like you mentioned, it was really only one. Yeah. What was the fourth? Because that was just facilities. That's right. Okay. Yeah. And it kind of fell by the wayside with decreased enrollment and but we were working in the middle of of construction also. So the facilities So it made sense. and I think in the past my memory if if my memory is correct is that the targets were almost all only achieved by or many of them are achieved by spending money and that's not realistic right now right and I so I I like that these targets aren't um like increasing mental health providers
058like obviously that would be a dream but that's not our reality right now hopefully it will be soon but um I like that our targets I like the way you change them. I think that's I think that's good. And I'm I'm not opposed to having a fourth. I mean, I I I understand what what David is saying. I don't think we'd want five or six, but you're right. It is how do we But it's not I feel like we Sorry. No, I I may say this wrong. It's not a priority for the board. It's a board priority for the district. Right. So we we're asking all of our people to be more engaged in the community. Yeah. So I just want to make sure I was on the same page. Yes. Yeah. The way I
059look at it is we're asking them to help us. Um and I feel like we actually are already prioritizing that as a board since January. And so to me it felt like a natural addition. Any other questions, discussion? I don't think adding it as a fourth would be too much of a distraction. Like Alicia said, we are already kind of doing it, but then at least it's there for reminders and you know, and it shows the community we care about this, too. Yep. Yeah. We want their feedback and we want to know what they're thinking. Do a survey people get them something wrong. you okay with that? I I think we'd have to figure out what our measurements are, but that's just logistics that we could hammer out the achievements. Yeah. What if it's like
060maybe a measurement would be have we discussed this when we're making a decision about some communication policy or anything like that or related decisions, right? Is it one of our bullet points to consider when we are looking questions that are related to Yeah, I think seems like So, can we work on the wording of it then and come back? So yeah, if you want to send Jeremy's u ideas of wording and then um we can bring it back to the work session in two weeks on the 7th. Um and then but so what I'm hearing is that it'll be these three plus uh something around but really the fourth one is about the board communication or you taking district communication you know you didn't want to add more to other people. So, you know, that
061communication part of it, that's what I'm hearing. Or is there be some more engagement? I think engagement. Okay. Yeah. And are you all going to have from the board perspective or the whole district perspective? I think um like I think our I think our people in our buildings already do a really good job with it, but I think the more we can I mean if we can increase that, great. But I think to me the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is the way we are communicating with the community. So I and we can look at that and I just want to make sure I'm telling the administrators the right thing right and so forth. But it sounds like it's going to be mostly the board communication. I would also um recommend that as
062you work through your board handbook that the there's a part in there about communication and how much and who how do you communicate you know different ways to communicate and you and you list that in your handbook so that and then you can say here's all the different things and you can even add to it in your handbook as you go and that could be one of the targets that could be one target goals and that would help you that handbook will also help you to figure out how to engage with with Yeah, it's a good idea. Yep. Okay. Okay. So, we will not take action tonight. We will bring that back adding that fourth item and then you can discuss it and then again you can take final action or approve it at because
063we want to try to keep all the voting during a regular board meeting as much as possible. So, you know, just come back again in in April 7th and then you'll approve it on April 21st. what and we can work words work with it a little bit on April 7th and then um approve it all on April 21st at that point and the biggest thing for timewise is to let the admin team know where our minds are for focus but we clearly have a very distinct direction yes okay all right we'll take action on our second reading and adoption of the policy amendments start with 101 so um 101 there was really not um anything changed except for the Minnesota statutes chapters you know things that are in red here we didn't change anything um
064when it comes to the wording or the purpose of of this one the legal status of the school district so just need a and then the second one and we'll do both of them um the school district administration um again it it was just this part down here um with the references and that was the only thing that was changed at that time and so um we will there was one more but then when I looked there wasn't anything that was changed so it just was added so that's now part of the consent agenda okay so if you can have a an action to approve policy 101 and uh policy 301 any questions or discussion or a motion to move forward Make a motion to approve uh policy amendments 101 and 10 or 301. Motion
065and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Carries. We'll take action on the school nutrition programs renewal of the food service management contract 2526. So every year for the department of education we have to list who our food service is going to be. So for next year we are still under contract. Um I think at the end of next year is when um you can go back out and and uh right now we have Taher, but I remember at one my I think it was my first year here. At the end of my first year we did we had Chartwell and some other companies come in and give bids and we this whole scoring process and everything like that. But we're on a full fiveyear contract with Taher. So towards the end
066of next year begin so you'll have probably have to go through that bidding process again. But right now we're under contract and we just have to okay have approval from the board that we're going to use Taher again um next year as our food service. Does Go ahead. I was just going to say is five years a common like I don't even know. Yes. Okay. And does this affect um I know we had a request to review our high school nutrition program. Does this affect that? No. So the different a lot of schools, a lot of school districts use Tarter and they're on the free free free lunch program for K through 12, right? Okay. And those service it's who's making the food, giving out the food, those sort of things. Um so it doesn't
067matter which company that you're using for for that service. Okay. So I know that um on April 7th, we're going to be having a a presentation from the high school principal and a food service director from Taher to to talk about that. Great. And so, but it doesn't matter which company you use. Okay, this one, this just says we're we're asking them to make the make our food for us every day and hire the cooks and doing all those. So, April 7th is when the discussion will happen about whether we want to be back on the Well, that's when the presentation will be and then you can decide how you want to go from there. Okay. And have that discussion, decide you want to move it forward or if you need further study or whatever.
068Okay. So before then, it seems important to get the word out there that we're going to be discussing that because there's a lot of parents in the community who agree have questions about that. Yeah. Yeah, that's a good idea. I think when it was set years ago, now those parents don't have kids in the school district anymore. So the new ones coming up, wait a minute, why is it why are we not on the national food program? So, is that something we should put in the buzz? Probably any that warrants an email. Someone from the board wants to send me an article about it and I will put in the buzz or or whatever. But just remember that uh as as anything else though, I mean, I I understand your your conversation, but it's just
069a presentation on how things work between the you know, with the high school and the reasons why they're off of it or not doing the free lunch. Um it is also taped and so people can watch it the next day if they don't want to be here. You're not having any public comment regarding it. Um you know those sort of things. It's just a presentation and then the board can decide do they need to do what do they need to do next. But if you want to write something out and it's and to let people know that you're having a discussion that's fine but they can also you know you don't do that for a lot of other for everything else either. So, we could always send it out after and say, um, this here's
070the link starting at whatever minute mark. Yeah, that might be it might be better for us to hear the information, kind of get a sense of what we think we might do or discuss. And if there's a presentation, you can add the presentation, right? That there the presenters PowerPoint and stuff, they can go on and take a look at that as well. You know, those sort of things. Um, because you're not going to be voting on anything that night. you're just going to be listening and and then decide how you want to get more information in the future or how you want to move. So again, you don't do that for every topic. So to do this for this one, it would be kind of different. I feel like maybe wait and see what kind
071of community feedback we feel like we need. So we can make a specific ask for the feedback when we send it. I don't know. Yeah. Okay. Two questions. Um so um do they employ all the staff? They employ all the staff. Yes. Okay. And they purchase all the ingredients and all. Yes. Yep. And then says that their increase is 3.1%. Yes. Contractual. What's that? Is that contractual? Yes. So that's what we each year they tell they they show us um and what the increase will be. Um and it's it is um the same throughout their their programs. So that would be that's what that would go up next year by that much of a percent. So and like in their initial contract for this 5 years of term, right? Did they have a range of
072of how much the increases would I'd have to go back and take a look, but yeah, usually there is a range that they they just can't go and ask for a lot. Right. Right. So, okay. And they they've been great to work with. Um they've wor they've been with us for many years. So, okay. Any other questions or would look for a motion to uh approve the renewal of the food service management contract. Make a motion to approve the renewal of the food service contract in Taher. Second. Motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. We'll take action on a resolution uh placing a continuing contract tenure teacher on unrequested leave of absence upon acquiescence of such placement. Did I say that right? Acquiescence. Yeah. So again, there was
073one staff member during the reductions during the adjustments that was a 10-year staff member that was put on unrequested leave of absence. So, you had to prove that we would have to offer that to them. They had um 14 days to to excuse me have a hearing about it or whatever. We did not hear from that staff member. So, this is the official resolution then just as you did to him three weeks ago with or with the other group. Um but this is now the official one that says that he is placed on unrequested leave of absence. Now remember what that is is um it is and for this case because it's listed here is Mr. Bouvala a Spanish teacher at the high school. There aren't enough sections to have him full-time. So if we
074were to add sections again to go back to a full-time or add sections in Spanish, he would be the first one that um for the next two years that could that we wouldn't we couldn't post it or do anything. We would have to offer that position to him if he would want it for the next two years. So that's exact so that's essentially what this is saying. So if somebody wants to read it and then we would need a roll call vote to approve it. somebody with their computer okay to read the resolution. Okay. Do I need to read the entire thing? You'll do start. Yeah. Whereas down whereas whereas whereas the school board of independent district number 531 adopted a resolution proposing placement of Jason Dubala on unrequested leave of absence on August 6,
0752025 on the grounds of financial limitation. Whereas said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence was received by Jason by personal service on March 5th, 2025. And whereas said written notice of the proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence contained a statement setting forth the reasons for the proposed placement, as well as a statement that Jason Bala was entitled to a hearing before the school board, provided they make a request in writing within 14 days of receipt of said notice and that no hearing was requested within said 14-day period, it constituted acquiescence by Jason Bula to the school board's proposed action. And whereas no written written request for a hearing was received by the school board or superintendent from Jason Bubla. I think there's a typo there as of March 21st,
0762025. There's a a missing one. Whereas said failure to make written request for a hearing within 14 days after receipt of notice of proposed placement on unrequested leave of absence constitutes acquiescence by Jason Bola to said placement on unrequested leave of absence. hereby resolved by the school board of independent. No, no, keep going. Jason, thank you. Be it hereby resolved by the school board of independent school district number 531 that Jason Bubala be and hereby is placed on unrequested leave of absence as a teacher of independent school district number 531 on the ground of financial limitations at the end of the 2024 to 2025 school year effective August 165 in accordance with the district master agreement and pursuant to Minnesota statute 122A.40 40 subdivision 10 without pay or fringe benefits. Be it further resolved that
077a notice of placement on unread requested leave together with a copy of this resolution be ordered to the teacher personally and an affidavit of the same be placed in the teacher's personnel file together with a copy of the notice and resolution. Thank you. Would entertain a motion to approve that resolution. I make a motion to approve. Second. Motion and a second. Uh, roll call vote, please. Yep. Jeremy, I. Lisa, I. Alicia, I. Nadia, hi. David, I. Kelly, I. All right. So, that carries. Byron City Council update. Were you able? No. Okay. I have the Zed update. And I will read for Carrie. So, I'll express her emotions. We went over the enrollment numbers as of 22525. The special education population in the ALC continues to grow. Futures has had three students fully transition back to
078their member district and five that are currently in the process. This is awesome news. Uh the Zed annual traveling art show is moving through the member districts along with a virtual art show online and was recently held in Byron on February 7th. and Zed is currently hiring paraprofessionals and teachers for the ESY session this summer. That is the Zed update. Uh let's see consent agenda. Any questions or discussion on the consent agenda? I'll let Barb know we're motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Second motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Motion carries. And on to donations. Mr. Treasure. Can you read that? Uhhuh. You read that or you need me to go bigger? Dorf 160 books. Each kind each kindergarten gets three cheers for kidd gear book to
079teach you about three trades. PTO Scholastic, 135 books to give out for the I Love to Read Week. Methodist Church $200 for Bearpacks. Byron Youth Fast Pitch Association, $4,730 62 for softball. Alicia, $200 for EIS enrichment program. Byron Youth Football Association, 1,500 for the color powder for the intermediate primary school color. Awesome. Look for a motion to approve the donations as presented. Motion to approve donations. Can I do that? Sure. Someone else. Okay. Motion and a second. Roll call vote. says that's a resolution. Yep. Um so Jeremy I Lisa I who? David I Alicia I Nadia Hi Kelly I Okay, do we have any information or miscellaneous items? I didn't have any. Not at this time. Okay. Would entertain a motion to adjurnn and then we would take a break before our uh special meeting
080by just a few minutes. So make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Motion and a second. And all in favor of adjournment say I. I. All opposed. We are adjourned. [Applause]