001Good evening everyone and welcome. It's Monday. It's 23rd of February. It's 5:30. This we are the Otana School Board. I'm going to call this meeting to order. Andrea is going to give us an update on our attendance. >> Looks like we're all here. Minus um Lori, which we knew would be absent tonight, >> and LOL, who is >> at the high school. >> Yep. All right, let's start with the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> First up tonight would be to approve the agenda as presented. So move >> second. >> Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor with an I. >>
002I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item four tonight is the mission moment. I'm going to turn things over to Dr. Champ. >> All right, our favorite part of the evening. So, tonight we will be recognizing five of our exceptional Otana High School students. And we know that we do not have all of them with us tonight due to it's just a busy time at the high school and a lot of different events. Regardless, we are going to acknowledge each of them and we'll ask those who are here to give us uh just I'm sure we'll have some questions, but I want to give just a little background um for each of our students. So we will start with our Excel award nominees. We have Lel Schultz and Ava Cox. Oatana High School juniors were nominated for
003the Excellence in Community Education and Leadership Excel Award. The Minnesota State High School League award recognizes high school juniors who are active in fine arts andor athletic activities, demonstrate leadership qualities, and are model citizens in the community. LOL's involvement at Owatana High School beyond being the school board student representative has included DECA mock trial national honor society student council students for life cross country track and field band choir orchestra musical theater hence he's not here tonight marching band pep band and carolers he is involved in the community through 4 boy scouts eagle scout project big brothers big sisters church volunteer and shop with Santa Ava's involvement at the High School includes Link Crew, National Honors Society, Prom Committee, Student Council, Shock, Best Buddies, Health Occupation Students of America, Cross Country, Track and Field, Choir, and
004Orchestra. Her community involvement includes Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Tutor for National Honors Society, Church and Hospital Volunteers, Toys for Tots, and Youth Coach. Both Ava and LOL were selected as state level winners, and they will be honored in March. Congratulations, questions you have or would you like me to continue? All right. Next, we have our AAA award nominees. We have Will Hverson and Lucy Jacobs. Oatana High School seniors were nominated for the Minnesota State High School League Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, AAA. The AAA award acknowledges a male and female high school senior with a 3.0 0 or higher GPA who participates in league sponsored athletic programs and fine arts activities. Lucy's athletics and fine arts activities at Owatana High School include choir, all state choir, orchestra, carolers, winter musical, marching band, cross country, and
005track and field. Will's list includes band, choir, orchestra, carolers, football, basketball, and track and field. Will was also selected as the region 1A male nominee, one of eight male finalists at the state level. Statewide winners will be announced in March. So, congratulations to those two. And finally, we have Aayub Farah Farah, who was selected as one of two Minnesota representatives for the United States Senate Youth Program. He will spend March 7th through 14th in Washington DC for an intensive study of the federal government and the people who lead it. Iayub is the OS student body president and has been involved in cross country track and field speech mock trial national honors society knowledge bowl key club and math league and participated in the Minnesota House of Representatives high school page program. We are incredibly proud
006of these talented students who are involved in so many ways at Owatana High School and in our community. They are wonderful role models for our younger students and we appreciate how they inspire excellence in all around them. So, if you can also come up and I know the board might have a couple of questions. I have one and just how do you manage it all? You can if you want to just kind of share that mic and questions, comments from the board. >> Hit the button. >> Yeah. >> Sure. Go ahead. >> You just have to hit the button though first for us. There we go. doing the activities you are actually interested in and um not simply signing up for activities you have no interest in is very important. Uh additionally just having a
007passion for what you do and being a leader um and having leadership positions uh gives you an incentive to be more involved. That's what I've kind of learned through my four years of high school. >> What was the question again? I didn't >> manage it all. >> Um I don't know. I think having a strong support system. I think my family is always there for me. And then also having friends that encourage um you to be your very best and then also just continuing to be your very best and try new things is always important too. >> You have plans for next not next year but post high school? >> Yes. I want to go to college to go study nursing or elementary education. My plans include going to the University of Minnesota to run
008cross country and track. >> What are you going to study? >> International relations, political science. >> Congratulations to both of you. Just a great example of student body here in Otana. We're very proud of both of you. Thank you. And we have a Thank you once again. >> Thank you. >> Item five tonight is public form. We have a couple of cards. And so I'm going to call um each of these uh speakers up um in the order that I've received the cards. Holly uh Holly Radkkey, if you wouldn't mind coming up. Um, and as you are making your way up, it's a good opportunity for me to remind everyone of the importance of meeting decorum. We do not allow slander, defamation, profanity, personal attacks, or revelations of private data. And as the chair, I
009respectfully request that the public refrain from interrupting the speakers during public forum. You're provided three minutes. We'll ask you to state your name and the subject you would like to address. So, Holly, come on up. >> Yeah. Thank you. Mhm. >> I just push the button. >> I think it's on, right? It's on. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Do I sit or stand? >> Whatever you prefer. >> Okay, I'll stand. Members of the school board, my name is Holly Radkkey and I'm one of the middle school nurses and I'm standing here before you to talk about the importance of our schools building nurses and the why behind everything we're asking for as we struggle to create our very first contract, one we deserve. School nurses are often the first to notice when a student is
010sick, injured, anxious, or struggling in ways that might otherwise go unseen. School nurses manage chronic health conditions including but not limited to asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, seizures, and heart disorders. We also ensure each student is up to date on immunizations or an exemption form is on file, making it possible for students to stay healthy and in the classroom where learning happens. We directly support student attendance and help them remain in school. We quickly identify health concerns early and connect with families to help prevent small issues from becoming major barriers to learning. We also provide immediate care and emergencies, giving parents peace of mind and helping schools respond quickly and safely. We are on the front lines during any life-threatening event. But beyond medical care, school nurses educate students on health and nutrition, better life habits,
011support mental health, and serve as a trusted, safe adult whom kids know they can turn to at any point in their day. An investment in school nurses is an investment in student well-being and district-wide safety. When students are healthy and supported, they are more likely to attend school, stay focused, and succeed. When nursing positions are cut, the costs don't disappear. They shift to classrooms and families. Investing in school nurses protects student safety, supports staff, and makes responsible use of district funds. Here is an example of how many kids depend on depend on us each and every day. Each bead represents a student um and the type of care that we have given for them. As I mentioned before, I'm one of the middle school nurses. Last year, 24 to 25, we saw 8,526 students. The
012MS middle school population at that time was 1008. One year prior during the 2324 school year, we saw 10,17 students. The MS population at that time was only 969 students. The dis school district as a whole saw 41,525 students in the 2425 school year with the total population being 4,350 students. One of my co-workers said it best. We don't have a classroom of 25. We have an office of hundreds or thousands. Every child deserves to feel safe at school and every parent deserves to know that there is a nurse there when it matters most. Without adequate staffing and support, the risk isn't just burnout, it's delayed care, missed warning signs, and preventable preventable emergencies. Healthy students learn better, and school nurses make that possible every day. A fair first contract is one way this district
013can show it truly values student health, safety, and care. Thank you so much for your time, >> Ali. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh we've got another card from Amanda. Amanda Miller. >> Hi, Amanda. Welcome. >> Hi. >> Good evening. My name is Amanda Miller. I am the Washington Elementary School nurse. I'm here tonight to speak about the crisis that is quietly but steadily hurting the very people who keep our schools running and student health at school, the rising cost of school district offered health insurance. For many of us, health insurance is not a luxury. It's not optional. It's a necessity for ourselves, for our children, and for our families. And yet the cost for this necessity has reached a breaking point. Right now the cost of district provided health insurance has risen to
014$678 a paycheck. Not per month per paycheck. That means hundreds of dollars are taken out before we even see our earnings. before groceries, before rent or mortgage payments, before utilities, before child care, before gas, and before the most important, student loans, which we all have degrees because of these student loans, which qualify us for our positions. It is the difference between stability and constant financial insecurity. We are nurses, but we are also educators, support staff, and custodians, all wrapped into one job. We dedicate our lives to serving students and families. We are told how valuable we are, especially during crisis, but the reality is our compensation does not reflect that value. When such an extreme portion of our income is consumed by insurance premiums, the result is devastating. Employees are being forced to make impossible
015choices. Some are opting out of coverage entirely, not because they don't need it, but because they simply cannot afford it. Others are taking on debt just to remain insured. And many talented, experienced staff are leaving our district or the profession that we love altogether. The math does not work. It is not sustainable. We cannot afford health care. When we cannot afford health care, morale suffers. When morale suffers, retention suffers. And bottom line is when retention suffers, Oatana student stuff suffer as well. A school district cannot thrive when its employees are financially strained, anxious, and financially undervalued. We understand budget cuts are complex. We understand healthc care costs are rising everywhere. But understanding does not erase the reality of this burden for your employees. We are not asking for extravagance. We are asking for fairness. We
016are asking for solutions and we are asking for relief. Health insurance should protect us not empower us. Health insurance should be a benefit to us not bankrupt us. We are truly if we truly value the people who educate, support and care for Oatana students health every single day. Then we must ensure that our staff can afford to stay healthy, support their families and remain in the profession that they love. I ask this district board to treat this issue with urgency that it deserves because $678 per paycheck is not just a number, it's a breaking point. Thank you, >> Amanda. Thank you. Uh Stacy Kersh. >> Hi Stacy. Welcome. >> Hi. Thank you. Can you hear me? >> Yeah, if you can just pull that close, that'd be great. >> Thank you. >> Yep. My name
017is Stacy Kersh. I'm one of the Oatana Middle School nurses, and I've been with the district since August of 2013. I worked at Wilson for about a year before that. When I first applied, the district did not offer insurance to all nurses. Um, at the time I was willing to secure my own coverage, but as premiums increased, it became unsustainable and I ultimately had to leave because of private insurance costs skyrocketed. My husband is self-employed, so coverage through him was not an option. Eventually, insurance was expanded after recruitment and retention became difficult. That change showed that when a system isn't working, it can be adjusted. Over the past 13 years, I have invested deeply in this district beyond daily student care. I've helped moderize modernize our documentation process by transitioning medication records into infinite campus
018instead of relying on handwritten paper logs. That shift improved accuracy, efficiency, and accountability. I also helped initiate the scanning and digitalization of thousands of student health records so files could be centralized and accessible. That meant scanning years worth of documents uh often dating back to kindergarten while still managing daily health office responsibilities. Once middle school files were complete, I helped support the elementary sites as well, where often only one nurse is standing is staffing the office. That work reduces storage needs, protected records, and improved access to critical information during emergencies. This kind of initiative isn't unique to me. Our nursing team consistently looks for ways to improve systems, manage resources carefully, and fill operational gaps that would otherwise require additional staffing or cost. Yet, after 13 years of service, I earn nearly the same wage
019as nurses with significantly less uh seniority because we were previously classified as non-affiliate. There was no clear salary structure, no advanced system and no meaningful pathway to address compensation concerns. Experience, institution, institutional knowledge and system improvements has not translated into wage growth. Recognition is not about applause or being called out in a meeting. It's about how the role is structured and valued. For years, nurses have quietly taken on increasing responsibilities without a contract, without a salary schedule, and without a formal voice. During CO, we were essential. Every year, we are essential, but the structure surrounding our role has not reflected that reality. I truly love my job and the students we serve, but loving the work does not mean the structure is fair. I a strong first contract would not acknow would not just acknowledge
020the contributions. It would correct a longstanding imbalance and create a sustainable path forward for those who choose to dedicate their careers here. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Stacy. >> And we have one more card uh from Kelsey. Kelsey Borchard B. >> It's okay. Everybody gets Kesley B. Oh gosh. >> It's okay. A book. It's not spelled like it sounds. It's okay. >> Kesley, I messed up your first annual. >> It's okay. I know. It's all right. >> Sorry. >> No worries. >> Welcome. We're glad you're here. >> Thank you. >> You have three minutes. >> All right. My name is Kesley Buckart and as of January 2nd of this year, I am the only full-time high school nurse due to budget cuts for next year and the district cutting the other high school
021nursing position. I love my job dearly and the students that I work with and all of the school nurses that know a ton of do. This is the first year we are able to sit at the negotiation table because we have now formed a union. In the past, we attempted to bring concerns to human resources, but were told that without a negotiation group, there was nothing that could be done. For years, we have simply been given what the district decided. We were informed by HR this year that the school board sets the parameters for each bargaining group and that we are expected to remain within the same total package as the teachers around 10% or less. We understand the desire for consistency. However, equal percentages do not result in equitable outcomes. When a group of
022hundreds of teachers earning 50 to $90,000 receive a 10% total package increase, that represents millions of dollars. When seven nurses earning 30 to $35,000 a year receive a 10% total package that amounts roughly to $30,000 total to be divided amongst all of us for wages, insurance, retirement, holidays, and everything else. A percentage increase affects n a $90,000 salary very differently than it affects a $30,000 salary. We are nurses licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing required to maintain professional credentials and continuing education. The level of responsibility in our roles for managing chronic health conditions and medications to responding to emergencies reflects that lensure. Yet our wages and benefits do not align with comparable nursing roles such as Northfield or Wasika school nurses or with the level of responsibility that we carry. After insurance premiums are
023deducted, some nurses are bringing home less than $20,000 a year. Several of our most recent nurses left because the math did simply not work. When experienced nurses leave, students lose continuity of care and families lose trust trusted relationships. We understand budgets are tight. However, the first contract sets the baseline for our future of school nursings in Otana. We are asking that our contract be considered differently than other groups with long established agreements and significantly higher salary bases. We are asking for a fair starting point, one that allows us to remain in this profession that we love and ensure the students have consistent access to licensed medical professionals in their buildings. This this would re support retention, protect stability, and reflect the values that this district places on student health and safety. We respectfully ask that
024the board reconsider the parameters it is set for our first new contract prior to our next negotiation session on March 3rd. Thank you for your time. We also had two nurses that couldn't come tonight that will be emailing you their thoughts and um on this. So just look for those in your email. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that was public forum. Item six tonight would be just general information. Item A underneath of general information is the enrollment report. Do any of you have any questions for Dr. Champa as it relates to the information in that report. >> Okay, we're going to move on. Item seven tonight, there's no action required by us. Item A would be board forum. Joane, do you mind if I start over on your side? >> Yeah. >> Start
025with committee reports. Um yeah, we haven't as um facilities and or policy haven't met since a couple of months ago. So nothing new to report. >> Um >> and do you have anything for just general board form? >> Um finance we have a meeting scheduled now I think in March technically. >> almost. So but yeah, we haven't had a meeting since our our last meeting. All right, >> for policy, we just have the second reading stuff that's on. We've all seen it. It's just around one more time. >> Okay. >> Um I have a couple of quick things. Number one, um our next work session. A quick reminder, there's a 4:00 meeting that precedes the work session and we will have uh pizza brought in for the in between. So we don't have to worry
026about getting hangry. And um the second thing that I have, we have um at the graduation this year, we have Ron who is going to be a part of the a board represent representative to the um the graduation and there is an opportunity for one more board member to be a part of graduation. Anybody have an interest? want to do that. All right, there we go. Um, and I'm facility, we have not had a meeting since our last I'll turn it over to >> Yeah, I don't have too much to add since facilities hasn't met, but um, Ron and I are both halfway through our new online training with MSBA. So, >> we'll do that. and um excuse me, I've had a chance to watch um or just help feed the musical cast a couple
027times during their long rehearsals and they're working really hard. So, I'm excited to see that come together this week already. So, get your tickets. >> Elizabeth, >> I don't have anything. >> Good evening, members of the board. Our school is entering a very exciting period. Um championship season's under under their way with gymnastics placing second in the state and multiple wrestler wrestlers qualifying for the state competition. Speech season has begun. Mock trial is qualified for state and our musical opens this week. At the same time, the student government is preparing to host the state conference um April 11th to the 13th. This past Friday, I was unfortunately unable to attend the advisor advisory meeting at the alternative learning center, but LOL was able to attend and we'll have a comprehensive uh report prepared for the
028next meeting. Um, and we are also in the works of scheduling a meeting with Mr. Cat to have a conversation about um how we can better interconnect the alternative learning center community with the broader Oaton High School community. >> Thanks a uh whoops. The second part of this is the uh work session report. Anybody have any questions or thoughts relative to um our most recent work session? Okay, we're going to continue on. Item B tonight would be the administrative report. Item number one underneath of that is the state of the district. I'm going to turn things over to Dr. Champa. >> All right, hold on. All right, it is my privilege tonight to give the state of the district 2026. And obviously we could not um capture everything that goes on within the district. So
029this is very much a highlight. I think this cover really um captures the spirit of Oatana schools. So as we move on, everything that we do is really anchored in what you have established as our mission, vision, core values, and those strategic directions. The strategic directions will come up again as we talk about the cadence of accountability. I think at our core the reminder of inspiring excellence every learner every day. Just a quick broad overview of our district. Currently we are serving 5,248 students. As you know that has um been an increase largely due to our online environment. We currently employ 1,098 employees and when we look at that number it's 766 employees. That excludes our casual substitutes and coaches. So, a little bit of a discrepancy there. We support 10 buildings and we are
030Otana's third largest employer following Federated Environ and we are proud to have 41 languages spoken within our district. As we look at our district overview, really at the core of our work is our students. So we are going to just quickly look at each of these areas and the work that specifically in 202526 has been um our priorities. So with students at our core uh just capturing all of the different opportunities that our students have within Oatana schools and then allowing our students to really say it best. So earlier this fall, we did a uh survey that included our students, grades 4 through 12, our parents and our staff. And this is capturing a little bit of what our students had to say. So when we look at middle school students who don't always admit
031to um working hard in school, when they looked at I try my best at school or they answered that question, 97% of them said yes, I do. My teachers explain things in a way that I get. we had 91% and then as AU mentioned we have our student advisory meetings and that those meetings take place at our middle school high school and uh at our area learning center and this year we have the entire cabinet listening to our students and really want to continue to elevate uh their voice. Then we move on to our high school and when they answered the questions, I have opportunities to explore and learn about my interest at school. 90% said that they did and we are proud of our pathways and we'll talk about that a little bit more
032also. And then teachers treat me with respect and we had 95% of our students uh responding favorably to that. And as mentioned, we have our student advisory meetings. As we continue to move on, we look at our district in general and it starts with our Otana School Board. There you are. Um, and then moving on to our dedicated, talented and passionate staff and just again I think it captures some of the spirit that we have here in Oatana and certainly Oatana proud. This year's mission moment uh theme has really been to recognize our partnerships and thank you to Lori Bugler for helping capture all of these um because it was one of those things as we started and I think this is just a special statement to Owatana um and all of our various partners
033that we have um throughout the district and early on this fall I talked about this um picture of the parade up in the top right hand corner before I had exper experienced it and I think that just speaks volumes to the support and partnerships within our community. We're incredibly grateful and our students are the benefit or benefit from all of these various partnerships. Community engagement. One of the things that we heard early on this fall in our um perception survey was we'd like to see more community engagement. So, we currently have our monthly coffee and conversation. We have quarterly leadership breakfast, a public engagement series that was based on various topics. We did engage earlier with that school perception survey, a community ed. You can see our our current brochure on the left there and
034the upcoming one. Uh partnered with the city of Oatana with the shops at Rose Street, which we're excited about that. And our students are building the sheds that will be showcased there. Uh we currently have an active calendar survey as we look at the 2728 and then a number of community donations that we are proud that have gone through our student council, sports teams and more. And then our cabinet is involved in community service clubs across the district. Moving on to teaching and learning. Director Sullivan can attest that this has been an incredibly busy year this year. Um so our priorities and action steps for the 2526 school year read act has become a familiar term. Um and our staff have gone through that core training which was a minimum of 54 hours in phonics
035training. Our literacy curriculum embedding and implementing a new uh curriculum specifically in the area of uh literacy has been a heavy lift for all of our our staff. And then director Sullivan works hard to provide staff development that is based on that curriculum and individual building needs. We are currently also piloting a math a new math curriculum in seven different classrooms and then really working on intervention structure and materials. So there is a pilot that will be started at the middle school which is with Lexia powerup and then director Sullivan is also working diligently and building in a class for reading intervention at the middle school for the 26 27 school year and then building within classes at um the high school in grade nine and possibly grade 10 and then didn't see it coming
036but was um also tasked to determine materials for temporary learning which we are just ending this Friday and then changing our state assessment testing structure at the high school. So, as many of you remember, we have about 35% of our students at the high school um engaging in the state assessment and we're working on thanks to the work of the high school and teaching and learning. Uh just changing that structure to hopefully increase that participation. Continuing on, education is a new way of tracking all of our data. And so, luckily, we have a data guru who's comparing all of that data. American Indian funding is new for Otana Public Schools. They just met earlier tonight. Uh, continuing to review Pathways and incredibly proud of the work with Pathways and how nimble Otana Schools is rather
037than using kind of the uh cookie cutter model, if you will. and then Owatana Promise and that was started by Mr. Stad that I am proud to continue to uh look at the best way we can possibly do that. And then just a note about our Owatana area learning center and we currently have an enrollment there of 84 students. As we look at what we offer in teaching and learning, we also have our alternative services which includes multilingual programming. We currently have 446 students um which is 8.7% of our population with a teaching staff of 13. We have 11 success coaches throughout the district, nine that are funded through achievement integration funding. And then adult basic education which is housed with community ed and we have a total enrollment there of 145 but those who
038are active are 91 currently. Three staff with an equival equivalent of 1.6. 6 FTE. As we continue, we look at Otana online and I know you just recently looked at this. We currently have 604 students enrolled. I think that's a little higher than that today. Um 60% are non resident enrollment. So when you look at that enrollment, we have 156 open enrolled, 209 in our partnership and 239 are resident students with most of our students, 81% at our secondary level. Special services, another big area for Oatana public schools. Love the model, changing the way uh people see other people. And we are currently serving in this area 1,141 students or 22% of our enrollment. And you get a quick glimpse of the areas that we are serving and then by grade level as well with
039the area that has the largest focus is specific learning disabilities. uh Minnesota assessments. This is just a glance. This is looking at all students who have taken the Minnesota assessments. And again, we're really hoping to have um more participation so we can really uh look at this more clearly. And with this, each of our buildings looks at it and we dissect this in many many different ways. This is more of a global global overarching view. Reading and science. Science was a change. That's why you don't have the historical data. Cance of accountability. We bring back in those strategic directions. So all of our leaders have set smart goals in the respective areas and hopefully those are continuing to rise as they reflect on their goals on a monthly basis. and you get to see collectively
040those strategic directions. Moving on to technology, our technology priorities and action steps. So earlier this year, there was a technology subscription audit just diving deeply into the subscriptions that we have. Um what we might have as free options and we're able to include this in our budget adjustments. uh technology safety and security. A lot of work behind the scenes that you heard about earlier this fall as well. Um able to secure a technology grant award which went directly to that safety and security and then a five-year plan that our tech department led by Mr. Halverson um with what that plan looks like with the firewall, virtualization, wireless and wired uh networks. And then Owatana online with the increase on our in our online enrollment has also been an increase in the demands in our technology
041department facilities and safety. Just a glance at all of the facilities within the district. Um, we are incredibly proud of our facilities and the Owatana Education Center has the glow around it because that is the building that we are planning to focus on as we move forward to house community ed and our early childhood programs. Safety and security. A number of areas this particular school year that we have elevated. One of them is our standard response protocol and how we respond to safety within each of our buildings. That is paired with a raptor app so that a hold can be launched in a respective building. The rest of us all see what is happening in each of those. And I will just tell you, I always quickly look to make sure it's a drill. And
042uh if it's not, there's a lot of quick phone calls. Um, but collectively putting all those things together, we had Homeland Security walk through both our middle school and high school earlier also and provided some feedback of how we could better secure our environments. Director Olsen has been busy with safety training this year and looking at our access control. And we're also proud of partnering with the city of Oatana as we have walked through tabletop exercises and how do we support each other. Okay. Finally, budget. As we look at our budget, uh the 2425 school year, our budget is slightly over uh $80 million. And our goals in the area of our budget are to be strategic, have a balanced budget, and maximize our funds. As a reminder, before the levy earlier this fall, when
043we compare to our general fund revenue per pupil, uh you can see we have the big nine districts are the blue, the metro are the orange, the statewide averages right here, and OTN is here. So I just a reminder that it's a requirement that we are strategic balanced and maximize. Um and that led to our budget adjustment consideration. So last month you approved a budget adjustment of 3.8 8 million. And then just another um shout out to our finance department. Not only have we made these adjustments, but they are working to ensure that we have budget boot camps for all of our buildings. Um looking at all of our processes, whether it's with Oatana Bus Company, looking at all of the checks and balances and ensuring that we have purchase orders across the district. So
044continuing to tighten all of our uh processes there. And finally, it is the legislative session. And so we are um like many of those combined platforms looking at additional support for safe and supportive schools, that special ed cross subsidy and stable and predictable funding, which includes unfunded mandates as we continue to adjust our budget. These things um just emphasize or add to the challenges before us. That was a bit fast and furious. Any questions or comments that you have? >> I don't think so. >> All right. Thank you. >> Uh item two tonight, uh the director of teaching and learning is Julie Sullivan. And Julie is here to um address the American Indian education. Hi, Julie. >> Good evening. Um, this is fairly brief. You have just a a vote of concurrence that the school
045board then approves. We do have an American Indian parent advisory committee. It has been fairly small committee over the years. Uh but this year we we've garnered about six to seven regular members who come to our meetings and uh this is also the first year that we qualified for some American Indian education funding and that's based upon if you have a certain number of students then you get um some dollars that come with it. So then that required us to also create a plan that we sent into the state this fall and we got it back on Wednesday of last week. So they are a little bit behind in responding. we have to make a few tweaks. And right before I came to this meeting, our AP pack, that's what the group is called, was
046meeting over at the district office and kind of going through some of the revisions that we were making to the plan, but they had already voted yes on our concurrence of just the plan and the work that we are going to do. So, that's uh just the simple form that you will be signing off on tonight. And if anybody has any questions, I can certainly try to answer. Julie, isn't is this the program where we um we do something in conjunction with another district relatively close by? >> No, that's our something different. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's our achievement and integration which we do with Blooming Prairie. Yeah, this is different. This is based upon the students that identify as Native American. And when you hit a certain threshold of students, then you qualify for some
047funding and then you're required to have a parent advisory committee as well. So, >> Got it. and this vote of concurrence. There's nothing that we're voting on tonight. You're just here to tell us that your conversations with the American Indian, the Native American population is is recognizing the concurrence of of the programs that you're um making a part of curriculum. >> Correct. Yep. They're they're they approved of the work that we're going to do in the plan that we put in place. >> Yep. >> Anybody have any questions? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks. And then item three, back to Dr. Champa, the cadence of accountability. >> All right, so you likely have There we go. Uh we just talked about this a little bit. This is just tracking the goals with all of
048the strategic directions across the district. And when you hear one of our building leaders or cabinet members speak to their goals, that's reflected in their um combination efforts here. walk us through this. What are what are the what's the uh vertical axis number mean? >> So >> the 10, the eight, the six. >> Yeah. So each month when I reflect on my goal, I can say it's a zero. I really haven't done much in that specific goal area or it's a 10. I I've completed that goal. It's been successful. What you're seeing is progress in between. And in some occasions a maybe it's high quality teaching and learning something we're waiting for something there while another one moves up. So this is taking everyone's goals putting them together and giving an idea of where we
049are monthly in all of those respective strategic direction areas. and the metric that we're measuring. Are these um broadly the staff's interpretation of how well they're achieving this or are these based on test scores? >> So these are um from all of your leadership staff. So as a cabinet member, I make a goal on safe and caring community that we are going to be auditing I'm just making this up. We are going to audit all of our access points and make sure that we have engaged with homeland security. I have a very smart goal and then monthly I reflect on that. >> Okay, questions. >> It looks like we've kind of plateaued a little bit though or >> a little bit. >> We saw some good gains and then Yeah. >> Yeah. And I think,
050you know, if you're at a seven or eight, um, until I maybe finalize that goal, you might see a little bit of that in the middle. >> All right. Any other questions? Okay, hearing none. There's one more thing I want to If Julie, if you're still here, Yep. Can you come back up for just one quick second? Um, in the report that we had this week, um, Julie talked a little bit about a form of testing and it's not something that I recognized. Can you talk a little bit about that? >> Yeah, so with the the ReadAct implementation, one of the uh requirements for the state was to um, all school districts had to use what they call the CAPY exam. So, first of all, schools use whatever their screeners are. Some might use Dibbles,
051some might use NWEA, we use FastBridge. And then based upon what our district sets as like a kind of a threshold. If we have students, let's say, who scored in the fall and the winter at the 40th percentile or below, we might say, well, we want to do that next level of screening. And that's where CAPY comes into play. So last spring um they kind of u surprised us by throwing this exam in which came with a little bit of a cost as well but it's a fairly quick test. Um this year we were required to do four of the elements of it. Next year we have to do all six of them. So that was um from fourth grade up through 12th grade. So our high school students we had to do it twice
052because of the block schedule the first semester and then the second semester. And then that tells us gives us further information on how a student is doing. And really all of it is designed to recognize characteristics of dyslexia, which really means just challenges with reading. And so then it might um tell us that this student is struggling with um a certain area. And then we have to figure out how we're going to intervene. So next year will be the first time that we're doing a little bit more formal interventions at the middle school and the high school because that is a requirement based on the CAP testing. So >> Julie, was this an is this an outcome of the read act or had would this have come around anyway whether we had the read act
053or not? >> I think this was an outcome of the read act. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> But unexpected. Yeah. Unexpected. Um I think it was probably April when they told us this and then we everybody across the state was kind of scrambling to contact CAPY and find out what does this mean. We had to kind of guess how many seats we needed to buy because you have to do that in advance as well and then um implement that test. And so then we have had a couple of sessions on a couple of our PD days this year where CAPY met virtually with our teachers to explain, okay, now that you've given this test, this is what the results mean and kind of walked them through that. But we're still um the elementary did it
054for the first time, our fourth and fifth grade just this winter because we used fall and winter data points and then we gave the capy for to our fourth and fifth graders that qualified for that. So still kind of sorting through all of that data. They just finished that up within the last couple weeks. >> And what you just said it what what was the number approximately? What's the percentage of kids that >> that took the test? >> Yeah. That you've identified and said there might be some this might be some of the issue that you're struggling with your reading. >> Right. And I guess I don't have the exact percentage here because also at the high school we had quite a few families opt out of taking that test which is our little bit
055of our mantra in Otana right now. but um or students just didn't show up when we gave the test or gave the the retake on it. Um but if they were in that 40th percentile or below um I know we bought more seats than what we needed across the district. Uh and I don't have those exact numbers for you here, but I will shoot those to you in an email. >> Would you? >> Yeah. >> Um and I apologize to all it. It caught my eye as I was prepping for this. >> Yeah, it's fair. And I think I put it in my report without explaining what CAPY probably was. So that's a fair question. >> Fair enough. Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. >> Okay, moving on. Tonight item eight. The first would be the
056consent agenda. Again, the reminder is we're approving the minutes from January 26th and February 9th as well as the dispersement in the personnel reports. Does anybody have a reason that we would pull anything out? >> Hearing none. We'll entertain a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion on this? >> Hearing none. Um, Andrea, if you would. >> Sure. Jolene, >> I. >> Ron, >> I. >> Tim. >> I. >> Mark. >> I. >> Elizabeth. >> I. >> And I am. I also 6 pass. >> Carries. Thank you. Uh, item nine tonight. There are a couple of things that require board action. The first of which is a resolution relating to general obligation school building referend refunding bonds series 2026A. We have a
057guest here. I'll turn things over to Dr. Champ for some interaction. >> I do. So, thank you for your patience tonight. Um, we have Mr. Celely here from Ellers. So, if you want to come up and tell us a little bit about this, we appreciate it. >> Yes. Thank you for having me. It's a pleasure to be here. And tonight, you have a resolution in front of you to authorize the issuance of refunding bonds. Uh the refunding bonds would refinance or refund your 2016 bonds. That was dates back to uh November 2015 election and uh it was over 70 million. You dealt with a lot of security issues districtwide. you dealt with uh deferred maintenance, parking lots, boilers, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and then also financed uh uh some additions to the middle school, and I
058believe there's a conversion from junior high to middle school at the time, and also some additions to Lincoln and McKinley. So, that's uh the origin of the bond that we are refinancing. So, uh we're estimating about $32 million need to be issued and that's going to fluctuate. It'll be determined on the day of sale based on the bids because some of the bids will have a little higher premium, some will have a little lower premium. Whatever premium we get, we apply towards the refunding. Uh so we'll refinance the 27 through 36 maturities. That's all the remaining maturities of that $65 million 2016 A bond. So all the remaining maturities will be refunded. Um this had a call date. The call date is when you can go ahead and conduct the refinancing of um February 1
059of 2025. Now, it was not showing savings. One of the reasons it wasn't showing savings is it has a 3% interest rate. So, uh current interest rates have to really get down there before you see a savings. So, because it's carrying such a low interest rate, you got a heck of a deal at the time, but um your refunding is not going to save as much as if say it had a 3.75 or 4% coupons on it. Uh but right now, we're estimating about 240,000 in savings. Now, that savings estimate assumes a 10 to 15 basis point cushion. So if rates pop up a little bit. So if I remove that cushion, it'd be over $400,000 savings. So if we sold them right now at the exact market rates, it'd be over $400,000 savings. So
060it's it's adding up to significant number, but it's not a a a large refunding, mainly because you you had such low interest rates on the original bond. Um so just a reminder that whatever you save that uh that money goes back to the taxpayers on the uh debt service a reduction of the debt service. It is not available for spending in the district and so forth. Uh so the new bonds will have a term of just under 10 years. Um principal will be paid February 1 of 27 through 36. Uh you'll be in enrolled in the state credit enhancement program. And that's the program where the state would step in should there be any default. That gives you a second bond rating and uh it it reduce the risk. So therefore it gets you a
061better uh interest rate when you sell these. Uh we will get a Moody's rating just on the school port school district. Right now you have an A1 rating. um we'll go through that process and uh a pretty good chance you'll retain that rating. Uh but we'll we'll go through that again. Um we'll do a competitive uh bid process uh nationwide. Uh we would expect to see 8 to 10 bids on it. Uh mostly regional and east coast. Um so we'll do a bid process on it. Um we will um let me just hit a few more highlights here. So the proceeds from the bonds so when you sell the refunding bonds those proceeds will go into an escro account and we will uh invest those in state and local government securities. Those have a fixed
062rate so we can determine exactly how much interest that they will earn while they're in an escrow. So the bond proceeds plus the interest earnings from those state and local government securities will be sufficient to pay off the old bonds. So they'll be invested from when we close on this bond uh April 15th till the redemption date of May 20th. So only uh month and a few days. Uh but there will be some interest earnings on that. Uh so other dates oh your bond council is Dorsy and Whitney same as you have in the past paying agents bond trust services rating agencies Moody's the escrow we're going to use Zans. So uh really no change in those. So tonight you have the authorizing resolution and we'll go through the process. It'll be about four weeks
063or so and then on March 23rd we'll take bids in the morning. We'll bring the results to you. you will uh pass a resolution that awards the sale of the bonds to the winning bidder. Uh the closing date, that's when the money from the new bonds will be transferred to the escrow, is April 15th. And then May 20th, those funds will the escrow will pay off the old bonds. So that con uh will conclude the refunding at that time. So, uh, the there's some schedules. Uh, you might have received a pre-sale report, but the main thing is you have very good rates now, and it took, uh, like I said, we could have done this over a year ago, but it didn't show any savings because of the good rates. Uh, we're finally getting some
064savings. So, uh, we're moving ahead with it. Um, and we're likely at current rates about 400,000 like I said, but we use the cushion when we do the pre-sale, but that's what our estimate is. Uh, you have a resolution. Uh, the bond attorneys generally like to see a roll call vote on that that authorizes us to move ahead with the issuance and sale of the bonds and bring those bids back to you uh, in a month. And then in addition to that, did you say it would be necessary for us to have one more standup meeting to to essentially approve the final activity that you're going to do on our behalf? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Uh so we'll get the bids. Uh we'll bring that information to you and you will award the sale
065of bonds to the winning bidder. >> And the time frame of that about when do you anticipate we'll need that meeting? >> That's the 23rd of March. >> Oh, it is. All right. >> Yeah. Um, now if something happens in the market and it isn't going to take much to either add to your savings or erode the savings. So if it goes in the wrong direction, we will be in touch with Mark and it might get postponed if we start losing savings because no one wants to go through this process unless you're going to save money obviously. So, we'll be monitoring that and we'll run some estimates probably within the week of selling those bonds. Questions? >> So, do you anticipate any other expenses that we wouldn't incur if we didn't do this or that
066savings accounts for that? >> That savings is net of all expenses. >> Mhm. It accounts for it. >> And is this extending those then though? Because you said at one time you said 2030 and then 2037. So, it's just it's the same time frame. your your old bonds go through 37, the new bonds will go through 37. So it it it does not restructure the bonds, questions. >> Elizabeth, you're looking very intently, so I want to make sure. >> No, I'm good. This is this is just school finance and it's um complicated and um yeah trying to wrap my brain around it. >> Um it was it was mentioned in the report that you had provided us pre prior to the meeting the bond rating for our district if if it were today I think
067did you say was it a double A1? >> You're going to get two bond ratings. uh one is on the district that's an A1 and then the state credit enhancement program carries its own that is the double A1. >> Okay. All right. Any further questions? You have the motion queued up. >> Yeah. >> Anybody really >> go for it. >> Sure. I move that the board approve the resolution relating to general obligation school building bond series 2026A authorizing the issuance and sale thereof and providing for credit enhancement with respect thereto as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? Okay. Hearing none. Andrea if you would. >> Sure. Jolene >> I. >> Ron >> I. >> Tim. >> I. >> Mark. >> I. >> Elizabeth. >> I.
068And I am an I also 6 pass. >> Motion carries. Very good. We'll be in touch. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> You'll be in touch with us. >> We'll be >> okay. >> Item B tonight is compensation and benefits for individual non-affiliated employees. Dr. Champa. >> All right. So, you have before you just what you said, the individual non-affiliated employees compensation and benefits. We have director PA here. If you have any questions with the 30 employees that are included within that collective bargaining group or they are not a collective bargaining group, I apologize for that. But within that group, >> anybody have any questions? >> Hearing on. Ron, do you have a opportunity to >> Sure. I move that the board approve the 2025 2027 salary and benefits package and employee guideline changes for individual
069non-affffiliated employees as presented and authorize the chair and clerk to execute the individual agreements on behalf of the school board. >> Second motion and a second. Any further discussion? Favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Item C tonight is policy revisions. Um again, Dr. Champa, if you would. I do not. >> Okay. Um members of policy committee, anything? Um I mean, as I read through these, >> there's a slew of them for a reason. >> Yeah. >> Not a lot of change. >> They're tech technical updates largely. >> And we saw these all once before last month. So, >> okay. Anybody have any questions for members of policy? One of you would please maybe somebody from policy could introduce this. >> I move that the board approve the revisions to the
070policies as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Lastly, gifts to the district again and always appreciative, but there's some very nice gifts in the district. Anything you would like to add, Dr. Ch? >> No, just thanks for the continued support. Um would one of you please introduce this motion for us? Sure. >> I move that the board approve the resolution to for acceptance of gifts as presented. >> Second. >> A motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Last roll call vote if you would, Andrew. >> Sure. Jolene. >> I. >> Ron. >> I. >> Tim. >> Hi. >> Mark. >> I. >> And Elizabeth. >> I. And I am an I also 6
071pass. >> Item 10 tonight would be to adjurnn. I'll make the motion that we adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Thank you.