001Good evening everyone and welcome. Uh we are the Otana School Board. It's Monday, January 26th. It's 5:30 p.m. I'm going to call this meeting to order. Tim is going to give us an update on our attendance. >> Just missing l uh and we knew of that. Uh let's start with the pledge. I pledge 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 thing tonight would be to approve the agenda as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. Have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? >> All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Item four is the mission moment. I'm going to turn things over to Dr.
002Champa. >> All right. Um, so tonight we are recognizing one of our priorities, um, our greatest priority actually, safety and security for our students. And so tonight we're excited about our partnership with that mission. And so tonight highlights an essential foundation of learning at Owana Public Schools. We are grateful for our strong partnership we share with the Owatana Police Department and our school resource officers. We have Derek Quinnland and Brady Baith. Brady, who is here tonight, whose daily presence, relationships, and collaboration help ensure our schools remain safe, welcoming, and supportive environments for students and staff. Their commitment and responsiveness goes beyond security. They build trust, mentor our students, and work alongside our educators to support the well-being of our entire school community. So, as we recognize our um safety and security, we're grateful for that
003partnership and we would invite you to come up and just speak to the life in a day. >> Hi, I'm excited to be here. Um Derek couldn't make it tonight. He has an anniversary and thought that was more important. What? So, um I'm a graduate from Otana High School. Um I graduated in 2004. Um and I ended up coming back not quite knowing um with the police department, but not quite knowing, you know, what that would all entail. Um I had the opportunity to put in for the SRO job um a few years back, about 10 years back at the high school. Um and I really enjoyed my time there. Um it's usually a 3 to 5 year rotation. uh my rotation was up, went back to the road, and then the middle school came
004up again. So now that's where I'm at for the past three years. Um really excited to be here, and it's been really great to work with um all the leadership with the schools and um the teachers, staffs, and and kids. >> And ironically, you were at a full day safety training today. >> Yes, we were over in Cass Manville. We were over there today. Oh, I bet there's a couple comments from the board. Anybody? >> Uh, would you prefer the high school or middle school now as you've done both? >> Um, I like the middle school. >> Biggest surprise working with those middle school beauties. >> Oh, every day there's a surprise. I don't know if there's a biggest. >> I appreciate seeing you since I am frequently at the drop off for the pickup
005for middle school. just seeing you interact with the students and how they're interacting with you and um yeah, it's a fun fun thing to observe. >> Yeah, it's a really fun position. >> Yeah. >> Um tonight you're in uniform. Do you are you typically in uniform in >> uh I was told by the boss to wear a tie. >> Excellent. Brady, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. And we have a a ton of crowd. I'm just gonna add on to that that we um it expands beyond what our SRO's do for us. So uh grateful for the relationship with the city as well. So we are coming together as city, county, um school district and really having some tabletop exercises on how we best support each other in times of need specifically
006with safety and security. So just wanted to add that. >> Thank you. Mhm. >> Uh item five is public forum and at this point there are no cards. Okay. Uh item six and this is just for general information. There was an enrollment report that was a part of your packet. Any questions for Dr. Champa with regard to that one spot at Lincoln appears to be the only cell in that. Okay. With hearing nothing there, we're going to move on. Item seven. This would be um items for discussion. No action required. First part is board forum and um uh Jolene, if you don't mind, I'll start over on your side with the committee meeting reports. >> Um policy met last week and got through a bunch of revisions um reviews of policies and facilities met three
007weeks ago and talked just overall updates at the OEC some structural stuff. >> Yeah. The only thing I would add is on your agenda at item three of um the revisions on the first reading. So take a look at those. Pretty prefuncter. Nothing um really earth shiner in there. >> Um Andre and I had the opportunity to uh go to the schoolboard conference. >> Yep. >> And and also the training. So we did we both did the level three training on that Wednesday which was the team building for school boards and um and some people were there had already done level four and then come back to level three. So we were confused by that, but we we we thought we're going in order, >> but um and so and so that was just some
008good training just about team building and assessing some skills. They they like broke us like into some different groups too, like everybody evaluating our strengths and stuff like if you're a controller or a supporter or uh trying to think what the other ones were. >> Analyzer. >> Yep. there was a fourth one >> and a >> I don't remember the fourth one but you know and just understanding that you need all different types of personalities and just working together. So that was good and I'll let Andrew maybe share a little bit about the conference. >> Yeah. So then um after Wednesday's training we went to the national or the state conference on Thursday and Friday and heard some great speakers. Um and then we had time to break out into um >> smaller kind of
009um >> kind of topic sessions. Yeah. So we had the chance to choose what we went to. I went to a crisis management one. So that was good to just highlight Brady and the good work that >> he and the school district are doing together. Um and then we both went to a couple different cell phone policy um breakout sessions. So, that was really good to see what's going on at different districts around the state and um yeah, thinking about how how ours our policies are going and if we we can help bring anything to the to the table for that. >> One other thing I would just add maybe too is is I mean beside the normal leadership stuff, I'd say it was definitely like cell phones was kind of the talk and then
010artificial intelligence. So, we did we went to a table talk about artificial intelligence and then a breakout session too. So just good to and Bloomington school district's really doing a good job of just integrating that and using it as a partner not as a not as to think for the students but giving students parameters how to use artificial intelligence intelligence and assignments. So >> good good information there too. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. Um I have a quick update for you on the facilities. Facilities met back in December. There's a modest amount of money that's left over from bond uh issuance and um Mark Stz is and and Bob Olsen are are providing us some direction as to the best place to um to spend these last remaining dollars and most of it has to do
011with the uh OEC. >> Uh only thing I had a chance to stop at shavings to showpieces which was the Woods 3 >> showcase of uh their final projects. Um, and they were really good. They're very interesting. Uh, desks, quite a few desks, a dog house, uh, cabinetry, um, just a lot of different things. I had some concerns for some of them that were so big. I was like, and they're built with heavy wood. I was like, how are you going to move these? And I don't know they all had a plan for that. But it was uh it was fun to stop and and talk to the to the students and figure out, you know, what they what they had been up to and how they ideiated around it and it was really neat.
012>> Agreed. I stopped there too. Mhm. >> But same thought. These things are very heavy >> but very good. Yeah. That's all >> regarding what's happening with the student body. Um I'm going to start off with a lighter note. So, we have snow week planned. Uh, fun week of festivities to celebrate winter. The this year's theme is Blizzard on the beach. It was my idea. Beautiful, you know, kind of modeled after, you know, I don't know if you guys watch The Office, but Michael goes to Jamaica. And I don't know, regardless, it's it's going to be really fun. And um today actually Ava Cox and W Schultz were chosen as two of 34 uh Minnesota Excel um recipients which is amazing. Owana has had five recipients in the past three years which I believe is
013the most in the state. So that's that's amazing. Um next uh our scheduled meeting with our scheduled advisory meeting at the ALC was canceled due to a snow day. So, we are working on rescheduling it and once that is completed, we'll have an update for the board. Um, and then just one last thing, I was really proud with the student body's ability to understand the current events happening in the world and to use their voice and to understand that civic engagement starts with us. Uh, the student body hosted a walk out. I believe 300 students participated and it's just amazing to see students, you know, standing up for what they believe and um expressing support for their community. Thank you. >> Thanks. I um second item would be the uh report on the work session.
014Any comments, thoughts, questions relative to the u most recent work session? Okay. Hearing none. And the third, as lawyer had mentioned, couple of policy revisions that made their way into um a first reading. Do you want to talk a little bit about that? Anything of note? >> I don't have anything further. I mean, they were um many of them were legal changes. You know how those are pushed forward to us from MSBA. So, um no, we actually got through a lot, but I nothing to call out >> unless others have thoughts. Sorry. >> So, capitalization and legal references is all. >> Okay. Uh we will move on from that. I'm going to turn things over to Dr. Champa for the administrative report. >> All right. So you have the administrative report giving a little bit
015of update in all of our respective areas and then most importantly you have in front of you the cadence of accountability. Remember this is collectively where all of our goals uh land when we look at those strategic directions of the district. And I'll just note that um behind the scenes every month uh when our cabinet principles are submitting their goals, they're also providing that numeric value, but then also a narrative. And that's my favorite part is just kind of reading um where we are in that. And again, it just makes sure that all of our goals are at the forefront of the um our thoughts and our actions. Any questions? Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Um, we will move on to item eight, which would be would be the consent agenda. Uh, quick
016reminder, we are approving the minutes from December 8th and January 5 dispersement and personnel report. Anybody have any reason to pull any of these out to be voted on separately? Okay. Hearing none, we'll entertain a motion to approve. >> So moved. >> Second. >> We have a second. Uh Tim, if you would, this is a roll call vote. >> Jolene, >> I. >> Lori, >> I. >> Ron, >> I. >> Andrew, >> I. >> Mark, >> I. >> Elizabeth, >> I. >> And I am an I. Seven. Okay. Motion carries. Um, item nine tonight. The couple of items that need board action. The first one would be employment of board member. I'm going to turn things over to Dr. Champa for a quick explanation. >> All right. This is just to identify the employment of
017a school board member, and in this case, it's Andrea, so that she is able to serve as an accompanist. um when called to do so. And so it does not hit the maximum threshold that is the legal parameter and at this point she is not but we want to make sure that we have laid the groundwork for the ability to to serve in that capacity. >> Excellent. Do you have any questions relative to that? >> Thank you. >> Um would any of you happen to have that? Thanks. I move that the board approve Andrea Van Gelder's employment with the school district as an accompanist. >> Second. >> A motion and a second. All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Item B is an extended trip request. It appears as
018though theater department wants to go to New York City. >> They do in 2027. So um putting it out as soon as possible and just looking for your approval for the extended trip. >> Do you have any questions for Dr. Champa? Looked like it was pretty well summarized in the report. Maybe just a quick one. Um, is this the same organization that is working with us on the foreign trips? I mean, that's what I inferred or saw, I think, >> as far as the tour company. >> Yeah, >> that's a great question. And I >> seems familiar. I didn't >> I agree. It sounds familiar. >> Yep. >> Usually they do a nice job of vetting them and making sure that they have served in that capacity. And yes, >> any concerns there, Lori? >>
019Nope. Okay. >> All right. Would one of you please uh introduce this motion for us? >> I move that the board approve the extended trip request to New York in 2027 as presented. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? All in favor with an I. I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Item C is the ratification of the 2025 to 2027 tentative agreement with the Otana Education Association. Once again, I'll ask Dr. Champa to give us the update. >> Yes. So, we're pleased to have a contract before you tonight and um this is the work of the union representatives who are here tonight and then also director uh stats and director PA. So, any questions that you have, they are both here and happy to answer them. >> All of the information was part of
020your packet. Any questions? >> Hearing none. Go ahead. >> Yeah, I would I would just make a comment. So, I had a nice conversation with um director Scott, so he was able to answer some of my specific questions and so um certainly grateful to have it a fairly smooth process. It sounds like a couple three sessions. So, that's that's a really fine outcome. Um you know, result is a little higher than we had hoped. >> Um somewhat the nature of negotiations, I suppose. So, also able to confirm with him that I don't think there's a significant um long-term impact, you know, with this particular total. So that was in encouraging. >> Very good. >> Oh, I guess I would also just make a quick comment that in the finance committee, we received a pretty detailed
021um report on teacher salaries in Owatana comparing it across the state. And I was surprised but also reassured that our teachers are paid well. So that's helpful. >> Okay. With that, would one of you please introduce this mo this motion for us? I move that the board approve the 2025 2027 agreement with the Oatana Education Association and authorize the chair and clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the school district. >> Is there a second? >> Yeah. >> Second. >> Got a second. Any further discussion? All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Item D would be budget adjustments. Dr. Champa, if you would. >> All right. So this has been our topic um since November and we continue to make forward progress on this. Uh last month
022we walk through line item um what that looks like in each of those respective areas with district services, student services and this highlight summary uh looks at the dollar amount that we're looking at as a recommended adjustment in each of those areas and then what percentage of the target again in each of those areas. Um we do still have some moving parts to this. So for example um and because you can see on the top there the dollar amount that we are at as of today is 3.844 um knowing that the the target is 3.7. So one of an example of that is uh we have maintenance of ef effort. So in special education we're looking at a couple of adjustments there. However until we can confirm the maintenance of effort. So that's a swing
023of $200,000. So, it's we still have a couple of things. So, the request tonight after having looked at line item is to um we're looking for the dollar amount to um recognize that 3.7 million as the min minimum budget reduction questions you have. >> Maybe just one. This looks fairly consistent with what we were >> it is >> shown. Yeah. No major shifts or changes or >> Nope. Just a come couple um moving parts yet that we're working to finalize. >> Yeah. And I think to just in our conversations preceding this meeting um the understanding is that this is um the 2627 budget year which begins July 1st. And that wiggle room as you described it is just simply to say here we are at the end of January. There could be a number of
024things that happen between now and July 1st and you will still land largely within those percentages as they've been identified. >> Yes. And we have been working um diligently. I know it feels like it's still been a long process. However, we know that um living in uncertainty is not good for our staff, our students, and really wanting to make these um final adjustments in a timely manner and also recognizing um registration and all of that. So, that has been um why we're doing this, what we would consider early. >> Somebody from finance be willing to introduce the motion on this for us? I move that the board approve the recommended budget reduction plan with a minimum reduction amount of 3.7 million recognizing that adjustments are still being finalized. >> Second. >> Motion and a second.
025Is there any further discussion? >> All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Item E is an is an item called student engagement learning support temporary plan. Dr. Champa. >> Yes. And I'm going to ask uh Director Sullivan to come up also. And so you have in front of you a quick packet and I'm just going to highlight a couple of things as we walk through this. So we have um we've had a little change in our attendance in school with just a lot of things that are going on and recognizing our um priority is to educate our students. So we have been working diligently to uh really walk through a number of items. And so in your uh packet in front of you, you first have internal communication.
026If and when we have visitors, um specifically in this uh case, immigration, you have in front of you what our procedures are and the role that each person plays and the difference between a judicial warrant versus some others. And so just wanted you to have some background there. Um, next, one of the things that we're looking at, and this is a sample in the packet for you, is we're looking at some additional signage for our buildings, and again, it just recognizes um authorized access only is certainly welcoming, but we have secure buildings and what our protocol is to um enter our buildings. So, the visitors reporting to the office and just additional signage that we're uh looking at adding. Uh next you have um one of the questions that we've repeatedly had is uh considerations
027for bus stops and our transportation. And so these are some guidelines that have been provided um and have been worked through with the Otana bus company and we're grateful for their partnership. So just also wanted you to have um the information that we have provided there. And then I also um included in this so we have been working diligently to take down some of the barriers and we have uh scheduled additional transportation for 74 of our students who currently are not attending in person and uh will be with the additional transportation. So um we're grateful for all of the work. It was truly a team for a long period of time uh working to make that happen and then also setting up a K actually a preK uh five temporary school. So right now our
028online school serves students in grades 4 through 12. Um but that is a longer commitment. Um we were looking at what option might be out there for those who are not served by that or for our four or five students who are looking for a shorter commitment. And so the temporary program that Julie's going to talk about is um set to expire all of the additional parameters that we have put in place on February 20th and if the need exists that can always be extended. So I will let director Sullivan talk about the program. Sure. So, we're talking about a program for um families that are choosing to keep their children home uh for a a portion of time, maybe up to February 20th, maybe extended if need be, without setting up a full online
029school, which takes a lot of time and effort to kind of turn around real quickly. And so, we have kind of a temporary plan in place. Um and just over the last few days, this has evolved a little bit. So, our um each of the elementary schools is going to service the students from their school that are choosing to stay home. And so, um we have teachers in each of the buildings that will run a live Google Meet with the children. Um 30 minutes in the morning and then a check-in later in the afternoon. We are also working on getting some work for the students. Uh it's not as easy as say if you're in class and we're doing wit and wisdom right now as our language arts uh resource. That's not something that that
030can just be sent home. So, we went back to some of the summer books that we've had over the past. They're called Bridge to Learning, and they they're um kind of graded or banded by grades. And so, our principles are making copies of that. We're sending home work in two week increments. And um then students can work on that. They can check in with a classroom teacher and then check in again later in the day. Part of it is just a social check-in, too. How are they doing? And can they mix and mingle with other students online? And so our success coaches have been um working diligently to make phone calls and get everything set up, get things delivered to home so that we have that in place. And um we're sending home devices. So
031if they're in the uh K2 and they have an iPad, that will come from their classroom iPad um cart that they have, they'll get that to work on at home. If they're in three through five, they'll get one of the Chromebooks from their cart from their classroom to work on at home. um if they're choosing to go fully online, our fourth and fifth graders and joining our full online program, they would get a separate Chromebook that we use for that program. So, they will have a device to work with which will allow them to maybe um access, let's say, Epic and read some books or the Destiny library system where they could request books that we could deliver to them at home as well. So, we're kind of putting a variety of things in place
032there. All of that material will be divi um delivered to them. Some of it started going home this afternoon, some of it will go home tomorrow with the hopes of everything starting on Wednesday along with, hey, this is when your Google meet is. Then the teachers will take attendance based on that, get that to the office, you know, did this child check in? Are they making progress on the schoolwork that we're sending for them to do? Um, we have a separate, you know, um, plan that we're working on if some of the students receive services and how that looks. So, I know Sher Menink and her team will be working on what that looks like if a student is staying home but is um getting some services from some of our staff at school and
033um just a lot of moving parts with this and so we're you know one of the questions today was are we are we cutting this off and we said we have to be pretty fluid with this because we don't know um what might prompt a a family to all of a sudden keep a child at home for a portion of time and so when we get that information then we'll get more you know of our stuff out to them a device and some of the packets that they can work on with the hopes that we get all of our students back in person as soon as everybody feels safe and and ready to come back. >> Does that kind of cover everything from our elementary? >> Any questions? >> Are there concerns like with the
034logistics of just getting this stuff to them at their home and then getting it back as well? are muted. Are teachers doing this or who is someone? >> A variety of people. People that they feel comfortable, you know, going to their home and and delivering um the items. I I'm not worried about getting it back um because we've had that in place, you know, we had that happen during COVID time and we sent a lot of materials home and >> even just the work they complete, they'll getting it back. >> Yeah. Some of that we'll we'll do the best that we can, you know, picking it up. Our we have some people who have pretty strong connections in the community to pick some of that up. some of it they're going to show their teacher
035online when they meet and if it's in small groups, you know, that they can say, "This is what I've done or this is what I'm working on or I have questions about this." Um, so we'll do the best we can and and just kind of see how this evolves over the next few weeks. This was uh we said almost more work than the co change when it it was for everybody, you know, and you're kind of um targeting students and making sure that we're getting what they need. It's uh just been a little bit of a interesting process. Can you talk a little bit? Um, >> it's a fluid number. >> Give us an approximation. How many kids >> throughout the district? >> Well, throughout the district, I'm speaking more to elementary right now and
036I would say we're probably at about 40 maybe 45 students at the elementary level. Um, at the secondary, you know, some of them are choosing to just go to the online program. We try to get a commitment of at least a quarter because there's a lot of things that kind of happen with that getting them set up on egeneuity and getting them into courses and then going back to the the school where it might not be the same course that's offered at the same time. Um, and we also have some who I think with transportation are choosing to come back and feel more comfortable with that that they know that they have a safe way to get to school and and get home. And that transportation issue, is it primarily the u elementary age kids
037or do you have some kids that are >> it's it's prek12? It is in the transportation. Yeah. >> Okay. >> And then my last question because I thought that this was again getting some insight into this before tonight. Um your success coaches have played a really integral role in this and I think it would be worthwhile help us understand just how instrumental they have been for you. um extremely instrumental. They have the connections with our community, right? And that's who u many of our families trust. And so when a phone call goes or if um if they're delivering stuff to the house, they feel comfortable. They know that it's somebody that they um they know they know where they work, they feel comfortable with them and safe that they're bringing them materials or picking things
038up. So absolutely critical for for our connections between the school and and the homes. >> Yeah. And Dr. Dr. Champ, my last question. There was there's been some conversation about um a sunset date on this. >> Yes. February 20th. >> Okay. >> With the ability to re-evaluate >> and reassess. >> Gotcha. >> Sorry, kind of took over the questions there. Anybody else? >> Julie, how many success coaches are there? >> Uh I think we have 11. roughly two at each school with a couple shared, you know, where the the need isn't quite as large, you know, like Lincoln has a shared success coach and a district-wide success coach. >> Okay. >> And but most of the schools um we'll have two >> and they're primarily at the elementary level. Is that right? Or >> we
039have them at middle school and high school as well. Um ALC also has >> connection there. >> Well, thank them for their efforts. Yeah, we have repeatedly and I don't know that we can thank them enough right now. They're running on fumes. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. Uh board members, any other questions, thoughts as it relates to Yeah. >> Yeah. If I can just mention the one word that comes to mind with all of this is just gratitude. There's um we mentioned that our e our success coaches, but it's technology, it's our special education, just an incredible team coming together and how do we best serve our students? And it's about as creative and thoughtful with a lot of moving parts. And so grateful for all of the work that's going on. >> Well, and
040let me last comment just speak to that. Our first conversation about this was a week and a half or almost two weeks ago and the the progression of how the plan has changed from our first conversation to tonight um it's noteworthy and I to all of you thank you all so much for um really rolling up your sleeves on this issue. Um one of you would uh be kind enough if you would please to uh introduce this motion for us. I move that the board support the student learning support temporary plan in its totality through February 20th. >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? >> Favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? >> That motion carries. Uh item F tonight would be gifts to the district as
041very so very often. There's just quite a number of um generous gifts that uh showed up in the report. Um Dr. Champ, any anything to add there? uh just that we appreciate all of them, but noticeable is the foundation with the mini grants at $114,000. So certainly grateful for that. All of them. And then another standout is those 70 pounds of frosting for those gingerbread houses. >> Grateful for them all. >> Wouldn't you be kind enough to introduce this motion for us? >> I move that the board approve the resolution for acceptance of gifts as presented. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Tim, if you would with the roll call. Chair Sebring. Andrea is technically the clerk. >> I think the clerk does the roll call. >> Oh, >> I've been
042turning it over to you. >> I was going to point it out afterwards. >> I signed up. I signed up for my training, but I have not taken it. >> Maybe you two should switch seats for this meeting. >> Old habits. >> Thank you, Elaine. I >> Lori. I Ron. >> I. >> Do I go yet next or do I wait? >> Do it. You're wait. I am an I >> Mark >> I >> Tim >> I >> and Elizabeth >> I >> 70 pass >> that motion carries. Thank you very much. Item 10 tonight would be to adjurnn. I will make the motion that we adjurnn. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All in favor with an I. >> I. Any opposed? That motion carries. Thank you folks. No,