001Okay, we're live. >> Should I text him? I can do it. We got to go. >> Oh, yeah. We do. Okay. All right. It's 6:30. I now call this board meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> You, Miss Cook, will you please take? >> Mr. Welch and Mr. Gent. Everybody else is present. >> Okay. Thank you. Yep. Is it next item on the agenda? Is there any new business to bring before the board hearing? None. I would seek a motion for approval of the agenda. So moved. >> Second. I have a motion by Mr. Ravenhorse and a second by Miss
002Kefir. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. 5. Next item on the agenda. Wait, I'm sorry. Am I supposed to be or were they supposed to start presenting? They can present at 6:30. Make sure we get it in and we will consent agenda after them. I apologize. Katie and Brian, come on up and present. >> Just because they have a hard stop by seven because they have to do truth and taxation. So, >> if they get done early, we'll keep moving on. >> Okay. Welcome. Thank you. >> Thanks. Um Brian and I are here tonight to share a little bit of information with you about the um comprehensive achievement and civic readiness report. Um as well as the achievement and integration report. Um we're kind of tangling together. These two
003reports overlap a little bit for the Minnesota Department of Education. So we're kind of going to take team the presentation. But you may remember this report. Um a number of you have been on the board for a few years. It used to be called the world's best workforce report and now it's called the comprehensive achievement civ civic readiness report. The goal of Will you just u >> Yep. Perfect. Um the the premise for the report is for school districts to enhance student achievement through teaching and learning supports. There's four different goal areas um that the report focuses on. The first is all children are ready for school. Second there, racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed. Um, all students are ready for career and college and then all students graduate from high school.
004So, what we do as a district leadership team is determine what we would like our goals to be in those different areas and then once a year we report out on the previous year's progress for those goals. So, that's what we're going to do here tonight for you. The first area um all children are ready for school. Our 2425 goal um focused on incoming kindergarten students um completing early childhood screening by the age of five. So our goal was for 100% of kids coming in to um have that screening um completed and we met that goal. 100% of our students who reside in Steuartville um school district um were identified through the census and were screened before they entered kindergarten. So, the number of students that were screened um was 105 kids between the ages
005of three and five last year. Um we're going to keep this goal. It's a multi-year goal. So, we're hoping to have the same um the same outcome again for the 25 26 school year. Um if we have any kids that are coming into our district that are open enrolling to the district, we don't necessarily do the um early childhood screening for those kids. It really falls upon the home district that they're in until they get to us. If they come to us without a screening, we in the first 30 days that we have them, we'll we'll do a screening to get a baseline of of where they're at. So, that's the first piece. Um the second piece of all children are ready uh for school is our goal was that 75% of four year olds
006would be able to identify 15 of 26 uppercase letters and seven of 26 lowercase letters um evidenced by the teaching strategies gold assessment. Um, the TS Gold Assessment is the assessment tool that preK teachers utilize in their classrooms um to benchmark and determine where where students are at with a variety of different um benchmarks, but we were we did not quite meet that goal. We were at 71.5% of students um made strong progress in that area. Um so you can kind of look at where we fell right here in this um second bullet there. So 81% of four-year-old students could accurately identify more than 10 letters and 62% of those students were able to identify 11 through 11 to 26 uppercase and 11 to 26 lowercase letters in random order. So the average when you
007average those two out it ended up at 71.5%. Um, in talking with Nisha Baldis and some of the preK staff, we are going to resi revise the goal just a little bit for 2526. It was written just a bit awkwardly. Um, it didn't fit the teaching strategies gold assessment exactly. So, we tweaked it just a bit to still maintain that 75% goal. um but are expected to enter kindergarten the following year will be able to recognize and name as many as 10 letters based on the teaching strategies old assessment that aligned that language aligned a little bit better with the TS gold assessment than what we had um up above it was a little bit cumbersome up above this is a little bit easier to understand so that's that's where we're at for those two
008um ready for school goals for prek let Brian jump in here >> so for for this goal Let's close the achievement gap between uh student groups. Um so for this one you'll see that our 2425 goal was to decrease the gap between economically disadvantaged students and our non-economically disadvantaged students by 2%. Um this this was a little bit of a change for us because we moved from the MCA data into our fastbridge data. So we have some bench we have some benchmark or some um baseline data that we're beginning to use a little bit here. So when we look at our spring uh we have a 45.8 8% uh for the spring of 2024 and then 30.2 for our economically disadvantaged for an achievement gap of 15.6. When it came to our goal, we were
009our goal is 44% and 31.8% with a gap of 13.6. 6. Our spring data came in for the non economically disadvantaged student at 49.7. So you see that that that was an increase, but then our economically disadvantaged students scored at at meeting benchmark of 27.5. So the gap looks like it increased, but we have two different pieces of data there. Uh one's going up, the other one is is um slightly below. Um so we are going to uh when it comes to our 2526 goals that we have here after analyzing it we are uh due to the assessment tool that we are using we're going we're going to as a DT or as a leadership team come together look at what we're using within our pass bridge and form that 25 26 goal for us
010uh once we get a little bit further. Um some things that are on here that we are are some focus areas for additional instruction and training which which falls underneath this is we're going to be continuing the read act uh training that we have started. We're going to be moving into phase two of that. We will continue to work on applying targeted reading interventions within the classroom as well as in some of our classes that we have in in the lower level or lower level grades. They have a pull out when it comes to reading interventions. We will continue to train the teachers and use differentiated instruction uh within our classrooms, bolster bolster up our tier one and tier 2 instruction and general education classrooms. It's that tier two, tier three that get into our
011intervention um type classes that we have set up. Um uh we will continue to use the readact strategies and trainings as well as we work forh forward in our standardsbased grading. Um, if we are to change the assessment tool, then this would make a our 25 26 data another set baseline depending on what we're using. It's an everchanging target that we're going after when it comes to that. Um, so that's why deciding what we're going to be using will affect that goal. Um, and a focus of we're focusing on growth data versus the um, other types of data that the present with the MCA and have achieved. Okay, this is back to you. >> Yep. Okay, >> so all students ready for a career in college. Um our goal was that 11th grade students, we
012would make sure that um 90% of them had an opportunity to attend a college and career fair. So getting them introduced to a variety of different careers and then as well as um college opportunities. Um, so last school year we took 97% actually of our 11th graders um to a college and career fair in the spring at Canon Falls High School. They have a huge college and career fair. Um, it's an awesome opportunity for our kids to see a variety of different careers and colleges. Um, so in the past we haven't typically taken an entire grade level of students. Um, and I sort of felt like we were missing an opportunity for all kids to get that experience. Um, so we did. we took the entire 11th grade class. So, um we were excited about
013that. It was a it was a good opportunity for kids to get exposure. Um and we're hoping to do that same goal for 2526, another multi-year goal. Um and again have our 11th grade students have that opportunity to participate in um college in a college and career fair. The next piece of the career and college um goal area is the graduation rate. So the four-year graduation rate for Stuartville public schools, our goal was to have a 90% or above um graduation rate um during the 2025 accountability year, which actually pulls data from the graduating class of 2024, the way the data is collected. Um, so we were at a 92.6% um, graduating average um, for the class of 2024, which I think is exceptional. Um, statewide, you can see the averages for the state on
014the right hand column there. Um, the state was at 84.2%. So, I think we're doing a pretty good job in that area. Um, we're hoping to have the same goal again for 2526 um, of 90% or greater. This actually should say class of 2025. So it would be the class of 2025. That's my error. Um but we'll fix that up. Um so really really good in this this area. You can kind of see what we've had the last um number of years and we're kind of hovering in that 90%ish range. So um stay staying strong there. >> Okay. Right. >> So this is kind of the explanation of what exactly the achievement and integration report uh is very similar to the start starting slide that we had from Katie. Um so this is the Minnesota
015Department of Education's continuous improvement initiative. It focuses on things that are very very similar to the CACR report that we are also doing. Um you can see that we have all children are ready for school. All racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed. all students are ready for career in college and all students graduate from high school. So there is quite a bit of overlap on that. Um all right so um when it comes to this one in addition to slide let me see where I'm at my notes kind of I got that. Okay so this is our uh increase the leadership skills. Okay. So, our ultimate goal when it cames to it comes to this with 2425 is that we're giving our students opportunities to collaborate with other districts as well as
016uh work within our own district when it comes to the leadership skills and showing um success that route. Uh this one in particular, I know that we focused on I think our goal was like n 90% and we have 95% of our kids that have this opportunity um to do this. Uh we have a long list of things that we that we offer within Stewardville schools as well as the opportunities interd district uh within HVL. So we have NJHS, NHS at the high school and middle school student council. They go to a leadership conference where they meet up with other schools 4 builders club um key club FFA BPA and a a variety of CTE opportunities as well when they when they're going that route. Um so right now our goal or our goal is
01790% we have 95% being met and I think we will continue with that with the 2526 um in encouraging students to uh to actively be leaders within our school. Uh access to effective leaders. This goal was that they would have access to 100% of their teachers are trained within culturally responsive leadership. Um, a big portion of this is they meet this at 100% because it's part of the relic uh process for teachers that they are required to go through a culturally responsive uh leadership training or to um be trained within that. So all of our teachers in getting relicensed um are going through that process. So that goal will continue that way as well. Uh this is the year that we are going to develop a new plan um for our uh achievement and integration.
018and I believe for CCR as well. So that we will be leading into that. So some goals will could be adjusted one way or the other as a leadership team. Well, this is our savers. Um so our students in grades 3 through 12 took a my savers assessment. Uh and our goal was for 85% of our students to Yep. Come on. um 85% of our students to reach benchmark scores in a social emotional competence comp competency assessment. That's the my savers that's attached to our fast uh our fast bridge uh data. Uh 85.3% of the students in grades 3 through 12 achieve benchmark scores in the social emotional competency as measured by this assessment. Um and that we are looking to maintain that because for us at the middle school this was the first year
019that we had administered the my savers and I believe at the high school as well. >> So we have met that goal >> question we kind of time Chris now you have time D. No, that's okay. >> I'm just curious how the leadership goals you said 95%. Is that a self assessment or how? >> Uh there is a certain the within the survey that's given um for the leadership um so is it 100% of our students taking the leadership survey um I it's geared towards the HBL conference that they have there as well as um the Minnesota u student survey >> the students are surveyed >> it's a self assessment based off those that want to do it. >> Yep. >> Yes. if they participated, they get feedback of what they feel are leadership opportunities
020that they have. >> Y >> um I was just curious. So >> you said a lot of them you were going to continue the goal. Yeah. >> And then but then you said that you're in the process of writing new goals. So my I was curious with like the >> the career fair >> if that's not a goal going forward because you could maybe replace it with something else if you need to. Would that be something that we would still continue doing because you saw such a success rate with it? >> Just because it's not a goal, it doesn't mean that we get rid of it, >> right? Okay. >> Yep. Yep. >> I figured that was the answer, but I wanted >> if we feel there's value there, then it would certainly not be
021something we would look to get rid of. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yep. we have our um 25 26 report of new goals or if we are determining that we're going to keep these as multi-year goals is due the 15th of March. Okay. >> So, we have a little bit of time to have conversation um with teams about if we feel these are still relevant or if we feel we want to shift in another direction. you know, if we've met them for a couple of years and we feel like we want to focus on a different area, we have some time to determine determine what that would be, too. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Are there any other questions from the board? >> I wish this is my own personal opinion, but I wish they
022would just combine these reports because >> it feels a little redundant. You know, Brian's talking about some of the various things that would go into this report. So, it'd be nice to just mesh them into one, but >> we'll send an email. We'll send an email. >> Yeah, I'm sure they'll listen. >> Yeah. >> Well, we appreciate you coming. >> Thank you. >> And you're free to leave if you like. >> Since we're still a little bit before seven, we'll move on to There is a motion to approve the report. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see that. Yeah, we'll need to submit that the motion was um carried. Can you see it? >> Yeah. >> Do we want to do that after we do the other stuff? >> Um we'll just we'll just go
023forward and make a motion for approval since we just saw the presentation. I would seek a motion to approve >> the report. Okay. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. Lowman and a second by Mr. Ravenhorse. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I post same sign. Motion carries 6. Thank you for coming. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll bounce back to um consent agenda items um 6 A and B. Is there any item any board member would like removed and discussed separately? Okay. Hearing none, I would seek a motion. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Miss Kefir and a second by Mr. Lman. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All post same sign. Motion carries 6. Next item on the agenda is item seven
024to consider and adopt the resolution for accepting donations. We have three donations. One from the Steuartville Fire Relief Association in the amount of $280 for dance um general supplies. Z Lutheran Church a check for 11 or $1,115 for the Christmas assistance for Steuartville children. And then the Steuart Wrestling Booster Club issued a check for $2,568 for wrestling warm-ups. And again, um through the support of volunteer organizations like this and community support we're able to provide for the needs of our kids. We really appreciate it. Yes. It's nice to see those donations coming in. All right. Well, I would seek a motion for accepting the donations. So move. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. Ravenhorse and a second by Miss Keeper. And we'll go with Miss Cook. >> Hi. >> Mr. Gist. >>
025Hi. >> Miss Kefir. >> Hi. >> Mr. Lman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Ravenhorse. >> Hi. I for myself that would be six zero nay and one member absent. Um okay so miss could you please guide me to where I should go next? >> 10 C the solar schools. >> Okay apologies everyone. We're kind of bouncing around tonight. Um all right we're going to go to 10 C. Consider and approve the solar for schools project at Bear Cave. And this was a presentation that we saw. We saw the presentation. We've submitted the application and now Mr. Sharter is going to go through um the information that is from the request for bids and then we'll need your approval to move forward. >> Okay. >> All right. So, what we had was we had the RFP process
026that went out the deadline was Friday at 3:00. We received seven proposals. Um, our deadline for submitting the full grant application is tonight at midnight. So, hence the reason this is a late ad and uh and also our timeline was extremely short on this piece. So, um, but we do have um the summary here of how everything kind of laid out. So, when we get these back, then there's some criteria in the RFP as far as how we're going to how we score everything. um basically from the cost which usually has the highest amount all the way down to whether they have the experience um those types of things all come into play. So we put all that together um as we go through these proposals and then come up basically with a score for
027each one and the highest score then out of a 100 is the recommendation that we typically make. So, in this case, um, we looked at a few of the the bigger items that were easier to pull out of each of the RFPs as they were they're relatively complex. And I'm not a expert on this area necessarily. So, looking at some of this stuff, um, became a little bit tricky just trying to compare it, get the right comparison between all the vendors. But um if you look at the second li line there, the the size the kilowatt AC um we're looking at anywhere between 200 to as high as 300 on some of those. So our intent was to stay within the range of what we submitted the gr grant application for which was about 256.
028So there were a few who came in higher than that. Those typically were the ones that didn't reach out to me and ask for any type of specific information. Um, so to that that's that's I guess on them. Um, so where we're at then on the annual kilowatts we had anywhere from 298,000 or actually 280,000 is the lowest all the way up to as high as 455. Um, on those piece the cost per watt was one of the areas that we looked at pretty closely. So um the $1.92 by wholesome was the lowest all the way up to the highest of 221 with choser energy solutions. So then you can see the project cost. So they come in with a total amount of the project. Then they put in the solar for schools grant which
029should cover 50% of that up to 500,000. And then we are also intending to get the federal tax credit of 30%. Um, which is set to expire here very soon. Um, so once you factor that in, then we get a net cost to the district, which you can see where some of that that came into play there. Um, the lowest was Holson solar at 88,413. Next was solar connection at 94,844 and then going up from there. So then we select the criteria go through that score everything and at the end of the day we have the recommendation that we would like to award the project to solar connection. Any questions? Solar connection is also the one that did the initial project at Bear Cave. Also did all the assessment stuff um beforehand as well. So
030obviously they have the most knowledge of our current situation. Is this power generation getting sold back to people's or used on site? >> So it's just used on site. We won't reach our max capacity at all on that. Um so part of the and again this is not my wheelhouse but so part of what happens too is if we start to sell some of that stuff back there are charges and things like that that ultimately can come from not only people's but also dairyland type of thing. So, we just stayed away from that, which is why we sized it kind of the way we did. Um, it does take up a vast majority of the roof already. So, to go much bigger than that, which uh the one under renewable energy partners, the 374.4, I
031think that was them based on their map utilizing almost every piece of roof that we had available out there. So, that's about the max that you could really go if you really wanted to to do the whole thing. So, um, that's what that's what we kind of did and decided to do. So, what they'll do, too, is they'll need to replace the current inverters on the current units so that they're all able to be compatible, one system, one one uh readout basically. We do have a a screen and everything that tracks everything. So that'll all tie in together with what we the new versus the old piece that we currently have up there. So, >> and is that in the cost? >> That is in the cost. Yes. For solar connection, it it was a
032little tricky to decipher whether or not it was in all the other ones. Um I don't believe it was in the lowest cost of Holen just because when they show their breakdown of the number of inverters, it didn't look like they were replacing the parent ones. So, >> but I imagine Solar Connections coming in with a better estimate because they know that. >> Yeah, >> sure. >> Already. >> Yeah, they're ahead of it a little bit. >> And they've been really good to work with. >> Yeah, there were any problems on the first one, you know, getting sometimes dealing with the the departments of the state can be a little tricky, too. And >> right, >> that was easy navigating that stuff. They've got to follow like prevailing wage, all those types of things too.
033So they provide all that documentation that we end up having to submit once it's complete. So it's most of most of these I found in the references and stuff. Uh the majority of them have done a number of projects. It isn't anything that's necessarily new. It was just a matter of some of the references had projects that were significantly smaller than what we're looking at. Um, and also there were some that didn't really have any, not that it's going to make a big difference, but rooftop versus ground type of situations. So, it's kind of all over the place, but there's I think there's about 73 approved providers in the state of Minnesota through the Department of Commerce. Um, so I sent this to every single one of them. um wasn't sure what to expect, but
034I think having at least having seven with kind of our tight turnaround too um was not a bad turnout. >> We are at 658 chair. >> Okay. So, um are there any other questions? >> Okay. Hearing none, I would seek a motion for approval using solar connections. >> So, move. >> Second. I have a motion by Mr. Raven Horse and a second by Miss Keeper. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Post. Same sign. Motion carries. 6. All right. We will go to the at 7 o'clock the truth and taxation presentation with Mr. Sharter and then I believe immediately following is the levy which goes with it. >> Yes. There are >> clip art. Clip art. That's the damn mic. Clip art. >> It's a term from 1998. >> Um, all right.
035So, tonight we're going to go through the truth and taxation process, which is called the 2025 payable 2026 uh levy. Um, as most of you know, we most of you been through this process before. Um, this is basically the the same situation that we go through every year. So, we have a public meeting between November 24th and the 28th. Has to be after 6 p.m. Can be part of your regular scheduled meeting. And then we can adopt the final levy um at the same uh meeting. So, um, we'll go through a little bit of the current year budget. Um, look at the proposed property tax levy, the the the levy increase amount. Um, and then look at some of the specific pieces that are increasing or or decreasing in this case. This is the Minnesota
036Constitution, which basically sets the funding for Minnesota schools. And it basically says it's the legislature um has to establish a general and uniform system of public schools um by taxation or otherwise and they'll secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state. Uh our funding is highly regulated. Um formulas which determine the majority of our revenue um are all based on spec specified amounts per pupil. Um there's tax policy for local schools and then the maximum authorized property tax levy. Uh the state also authorizes you as a school board to submit referendums for operating capital needs to the voters for approval. The state sets the basic general education formula. Of course, as we talk about on a annual basis, if not more often, is the fact that that has not kept up
037with inflationary um increases since the two uh the 0203 school year. Um but for fiscal year 24 and 25, the legislature approved an increase of 2% which was $143 per pupil unit. And then for this current year that we're in in 2526, the increase of 2.75 or $200 per pupil was approved. Going into next year, the increase is uh 3%. Um just for your information on that. Uh the per pupil allowance for 2425 was 7,281 and in this current fiscal year it's $7,481 per student. Um like to mention the egg to school bond credit. Each year this came into play in 2018. Um it's a reduction for farmers and timber owners and the taxes payable in 2026. The percentage is at 7% which is what it's been at now and it is capped out at
038that. Legislature did not make any adjustments to that. All right. So we'll look at uh the school district budget for the current year 2526. And this is uh information that is part of the preliminary budget. Um the first thing here is just our fund accounts. So fund one is your general fund which houses the majority of our expenditures and our revenue. um has our extracurriculars, our special ed, people transportation, our facilities, all of our restricted accounts, um such as capital, LTFM, safe schools, those types of things all fall within the general fund. Uh food service, school breakfast and lunch programs, and then community service, which is fund four. So the levy is based on the adult population in the district which was done in the last census and that number is 10,58 and it stays
039that way for the entire period of time which I believe the census is every 10 years. Um if you do have a increase that is sizable, you can go ahead and appeal that and get that number potentially increased. Um if your number goes down within those 10 years then you just kind of just sit and be quiet. Don't really say anything. So you can keep getting the funding based off the old number. Um the early childhood levy that's based on the number of children under five years of age in the district and that currently is sitting at 727. Um early childhood family ed is also within there school readiness and then any adult classes that we might provide. So debt service fund seven this is your principal principal interest on your bonds that you collect.
040Um you can see the current bond situation that we have right now. Um 2027 is the next one to come off. So there's not much left on that one. Um and then it'll be a little bit little bit yet before we see the next ones drop off. A little bit of a budget overview. Um so the 24 25 numbers are audited actual numbers for each of those funds. And then next to that is the current budgeted for the school year that we're currently in right now. And then the percentage change between the two. So overall revenues, we're looking at it being at almost even basically a negative 1.12% compared comparatively to where we were last year. Um general fund revenue budget, where do our revenues come from? So, the majority of our revenue, as most
041people know, is state aid, 83%. Our federal aid makes up about just over 1%. Local um taxes make up 11.2 and then we have some other local that make up about 4.6%. On the expenditure side, um our actual expenditures then from 20 242 compared to our current budget and the increase there of about 1.94%. um how are general fund dollars spent? So, this is a pretty standard um slide. Um and you'll find this pretty much in almost every school district around. Obviously, the largest expense is regular instruction followed by special ed instruction. Um those areas are where we would house most of our salary and benefits. And on this slide, this shows what do our expenditures pay for. Salaries and uh benefits make up about almost 68% of our total cost. Purchases services um at
042another 26% and then supplies and materials at just under four. On the next slide, then we have all the ending balances. Um, and I should have changed that 24 to 25. Um, this is the end the audited numbers from the end of this year and they're not coming through very kindly. Um, yeah, that top one. So, say that's not $5. Um, it's 2,831,905 is where we ended in our unassigned balance. Um, and the assigned fund was 1,858413. Then operating capital is 796,000. LTFM is 105,000. Safe schools 92,000. Scholarships at just over 26. Uh staff development 7700. And then literacy incentive at 122,000 and medical assistance, our MA dollars are at 254,75. Uh the school district levy. So what we're looking to approve is the 25 payable 26 levy. Um this covers the 26 27 school
043year. So the next next school year that we have coming up fiscal year the authority for school levy. So school district tax levy must either be set by state formula or it has to be voter approved. Some of the things that impact tax changes um are any changes that we would have in our sales ratio which impacts our adjusted net tax capacity um change in tax capacity rate structure, any other types of law changes, code compliance um or if you happen to have voter approved building bonds issued or um an excess levy referendum that was done. Other factors that impact tax change, inflationary pressure on the real estate market, any tax abatements that we might have, property improvements that were not previously taxed, um, and change in individual assessed market value, which typically has probably
044been the one that's happened the most often over the past few years. Um, and then possible change in property classification. Now, that did not come through at all. So all this slide was was just showing kind of the process of um the assessment that takes place. So the city or county assessor determines your estimated market value. Then the legislature sets the formulas. Then it goes back to the county auditor. Um and then they um calculate the tax capacity for each parcel. Then that goes then the legislature sets the formulas which determine the school district's levy limits. Um, and then MDE calculates that. Then we go in, pull that information, um, make sure it's accurate, and then ultimately that comes to you as a school board to adopt that proposed levy, and then the county auditor
045will eventually send that information out on your property tax statements. Um, so this is how the taxes are spent. Our general fund, 55% of our levy goes to that. 3% is for community ed and the other 42% then is towards debt service. So this is the comparison between the previous payable 25 levy to the proposed 26 levy. So last year we approved a levy of 5 million595,232 $23721. Our proposed levy this year is 5,375,773.64, a decrease of $219,46357 or an overall percentage decrease of 3.92%. >> Is that Yeah. Is that uh driven by enrollment? Um, so there's a lot of adjustments to fiscal year 2024, which would have had some to do with enrollment based on where we were estimated and where we actually ended up. Um, so there's adjustments that are going back and
046taking place there. Um, we also have a, as we'll see, um, on the debt service side of things, that 80,000 decrease from last year, we have a debt reduction excess levy situation. So what that is is we collect 105% of whatever our principal and interest payments are on our bonds. So if we have delinquent taxpayers, we still have enough technically to cover our our payments. So in this district, we don't have as much in delinquent taxes. So we keep collecting that 5% or something in that range beyond that. as that fund balance and debt service builds, the state has a formula then that pulls that back. So that's what's happening here is um that amount is higher than what it has been in prior years. So we're seeing a bigger decrease in our debt service
047levy than what we typically have. Um the referendum piece, so that one's seems like it's always constantly changing. Um that impacts our referendum and our local optional revenue. So the referendum part is the voter approved piece. The local optional revenue piece is $724 per kid. That's set. Um so anything above that then becomes your referendum piece. Vocational, we had a little bit of an increase there as well. Um just based on some staffing changes. So part of the 26 levy is making adjustments for the 2024 piece on that as well. Um, and then equity revenue had a decrease there of 41,000 total. And then LTFM also had a little bit of a decrease based on some adjustments from 2024 as well. >> I want to clarify that these are these decreases and increases are set
048by the formula, not our decisions. >> Okay. So, some of the main variables that cause property tax increases and decreases, um any changes in market values, um change in property tax credits, voter approved referendums that may happen, um and then increases and decreases in levy amounts caused by changes in the state funding formulas. The value of your property can increase or decrease. So, that can drive your um school tax amount as well. um the value of other properties may increase or decrease. So that as well can also change what the total tax base looks like and how that is split out amongst all property taxpayers. Here's a snapshot of our 10-year levy history. So the first set is the general fund. See a little bit of a decrease um in this last year. Now community
049service is relatively consistent. Um and then our debt service a little bit of a drop there as well. So at the end we have a general fund increase or a general fund dollar amount of 2,957,94473. Community service is 145,67208 and our debt service is 2,27215683 for a total proposed school tax levy amount of 5,375,77364. Questions, comments? I like to present when it's going down versus when it's going up right now. >> Yeah. >> What's that first one? What's that one that's gonna fall off in 27? Is that the road? >> Nope. Um that is the that goes all the way back because that's that 2016 is actually the refunding >> year. >> Oh. >> So it's from >> Sure. >> a while back. I believe it's the the previous HVAC project that took place >>
050or facil facility. >> Um I'm blanking on the the word I want to use for it, but yeah, that one goes back because we're the actual amount left on that for like the last I want to say five years or so has been really small. So it was like when they when these other ones came on at some point in time and they typically then start to wrap your debt around the old debt, the new debt around the old debt type of situation. So we get to a point where we were paying maybe >> hundred and some thousand on that $3 million one for a couple years before it finally falls off. So re really that one's been pretty much all completed and off except for that little bit remaining for quite a while. because
051the road one that we that's the one we refinance, right? >> So that one So the road one is strictly through property tax. So we get a statement that we owe that amount each year. Um so it was it was initially around 1.2 million. >> We borrowed against part of it. >> Um and then we had about actually I should say 1.2 we borrowed 1.2 million for 10 years. So that's the 120,000 we pay back every year. Then we had about 600,000 that was still due through the county. So that that then went on to a 10-year payment schedule through that. But that comes through on our property tax statement that none of that is actually bonded. Okay. >> For that motion. >> Go ahead. >> Are there any other questions? Um Dan, if you
052could just explain the interplay between um the downturn in revenue and the upturn in expenses. >> Yeah. So the revenue typically in a new budget year I'm relatively conservative for one. Um but we also have things that come through that aren't for sure that I obviously pull back on until it happens. And usually those things are kind of known about the time that we revise the budget which will be coming up here in the next couple months. Um and then I get them those put back in. So and I'll adjust the revenue based on where our enrollment currently is. Um which probably is not this year is not far off from where we're at right now. Um so that part should be fine. Um the expenditure increases then basically most of that's all salary type
053thing. But you know going into this year um that was mostly all estimates because we did not have any contracts especially our biggest one settle at that point. So it was kind of a number of putting in what we felt was was an adequate number to be able to get us through. So that's where that comes into. Are there any other questions? >> Okay. So then the next item on the agenda would be to approve the 2026 levy and certification report. So I would seek a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. Ravenhorse and a second by Miss Kever. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Post. Same sign. Motion carries 6. Thank you, Dan. >> Thanks, Dan. Next item on the agenda would be a
054facility update with ISG and Krauss Anderson. Come on up, gentlemen. >> You're on. >> All right. >> Do you want to introduce yourselves and um if you're from Krauss or ISG >> and then we'll get started. >> Oh great. So thanks for having us tonight. Extending your night a little bit longer. My name is Scor next. Most of us are on here. See if you can pick us up. So, uh, Kevin Mills, uh, architect. I've been doing schools for the last 20 years, architect with ISG. My focus is overseeing our, um, education design team. So, John's not here tonight. Um, he got married this weekend. So, apparently, you know, priorities there, personal priorities. So, we'll allow that. Uh, but you'll you'll obviously a lot of John, uh, myself as part of this process and also
055Sue and Morgan from our team as well as we kind of go through this process. Yep. And this guy here as well from ISG, Thad. >> Thanks, Kevin. I'm Fad Daling. I lead our facility assessment team at ISG. So, kind of ran and managed that uh process. When we went through it, we visited the site in late August and we have just kind of a high level overview of the findings and what we saw >> and playing the role of John Hun tonight. >> Yeah, I'm working on the grays a little bit. We're getting there. Um, so I'm Charlie Sweeney. our project manager with Carl Sanderson and based on here in Rochester. So work with that a little bit as he was developing some of the numbers that you'll see today. Um just budgeting some
056of the work that he's seeing and we'll work with the ISG team just to as we start developing you know an actual plan of of construction work through scheduling and some of the logistics things and then once we get shovels in the ground you'll see me a lot. >> Okay. >> So I'll go over a process a little bit and then we'll turn that loose on the the the interesting stuff. Okay. Uh so we'll go touch on the process a little bit. Uh the facility assessment findings is what that is going to go through. So think about that as your condition. Okay. So we try to think about condition of your facility in one aspect. But then also the next aspect is educational adequacy. That's great of know if that tells me that my ceiling
057is needs to be replaced, my lights need to replace here, but does this space actually work for what I want to do in here? That makes sense. So we think about those two things separately. Um we'll have some discussion and then also look at just what are ne next steps in the process look like. So uh from that process keep scrolling down to the next one. We've sort of developed a road map over the years um really starting at the beginning of gathering data um and then we'll work our way towards developing options. So you uh disclaimer number one, you're not going to see any cool concepts tonight. uh that's down the road because really we're focused on sharing the data. let's have a discussion of like are you sure about that or hey in
058our past over the years I thought we heard this or said this right so let's we want to hear that stuff um we've had a meeting with the district leadership where we went through a lot of this stuff and got some of that feedback so we want to continue to hear that kind of feedback right now just looking at the conditions and what do we think of um overall conditions right now then we develop options or you know thinking about solutions to the challenges Right. Um then we start to gather feedback. So starting with this group before we go out to the community, make adjustments and then work towards if they're uh to the point of a potential community survey really to get the board proper information um to make a decision at that time.
059So um just know that's kind of the overall process. You see this graphic a lot u but it just helps us keep on track. Next slide. All right. >> All right. >> You're up. Thank you, Kevin. Um, like I said, there's kind of two pieces to the uh two avenues you could take. You can look at the existing conditions. That's my job at IG. And then the architecture team at ISG looks at that educational adequacy. So, just wanted to show you kind of some highlevel findings of what we discovered. It's probably going to be no surprise what we discovered in this building. Um, you guys have kind of seen this before. um but just pull out some of the high level uh deficiencies or issues that we we noted. So uh during our assessment we
060kind of group it into four different categories. We look at the outside of the building. So think heartscapes, uh playgrounds, sidewalks, that kind of stuff. And then the architecture structure itself, so interior, exterior of the building, and then your mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems. So we gather all this data and this is kind of the the four main categories that we condense it into just so we can talk uh about it more efficiently in settings like this. So we prioritize things. So this is kind of our matrix on how we prioritize the needs or any deficiencies that we saw. So one through three um immediate, emerging and future and then kind of think of your time frames that go along with those priorities. So those priorities are kind of funneled through a couple different things. So
061code compliance, accessibility items, life safety items, um average useful life of materials and equipment. Um so things like that. So that's kind of how we get to our priorities and how we rank them at ISG. Right now, Belinda and her team have the raw data. uh we provided it to her and Josh um and the team at the maintenance level and they're kind of vetting our priorities and how we did. So there's kind of a give take there back and forth um process. Uh next slide please. >> Do you want to talk about condition or no? >> Oh yeah, sorry. Good catch. Good, fair, poor. So anything that's good is obviously in good condition. It's relatively new. It's operating. Fair we consider uh anything that is in working condition but it's maybe halflife or through
062that estimated useful life and then poor is anything that doesn't meet code is damaged heavily. So things like that. So we saw a lot of poor and fair items in this building. So >> there's kind of your just aerial overview of the building and the site. And then we just pulled some photos of each of those four categories that we wanted to share with you guys. So, it's maybe been a while since you guys have toured this building or looked around. So, we just wanted to bring those forth to you. So, s we'll start on the outside of the building and then work our way into the building with some of these slides as we go through. So, um access to the building. Um most of most of the access is done on the south
063side. The main entrance, we saw some ADA accessibility needs there. Just that slope coming up to that front door is a little steep. Um, and we noticed that in some of the other areas of how we access the building, too. Um, playground, the one down here to the north and to the west, um, is not accessible. There's no route to get there. And then once you get there, the equipment is inaccessible and the surfacing isn't, which is nothing new. I mean, we see that all the time in in schools and education market. So, um, saw some drainage issues here on the north side of the building. you take your big uh parking lot that we have out here. Everything kind of drains this way to the building. You want it to go away. So, you
064saw some evidence of that with that retaining wall kind of failing and tipping out itself. Um next slide, please, Linda. Uh so, again mentioned the access kind of that uh that steep slope there on the main entrance and then this is pretty typical just for where we live. This is over on the east side. Uh we go through that fe freeze thaw cycle a few times and you get that asphalt that gets to be in that condition. So we've got some trip hazards here, but um nothing that's we haven't seen before. Okay. Um moving to the building itself. We'll stay on the outside. Looked at all the roof sections. Um looked at the building masonry. So, roofing here is in pretty good shape. Um, you guys did an investment back in 23 after a storm,
065I believe, wasn't it, Dan? For the gym section. Um, so that has a new roof on it. The rest of the building, that roofing membrane that you can see here in the photos, dates back to the early 2000s. So, you're kind of bumping up against that estimated useful life for that membrane. Although, it's it's performing as it should. talking with John, there's Josh, there's not a lot of roof leaks. They're not getting a lot of calls on it, but something to consider. Noticed a couple of the skylights here that don't have fall protection. So, we're always going to point out code compliance, things like that. So, uh the masonry itself, so we kind of broke it out into the original tower 1930 section. Um it's performing really good for being almost 100 years old. you're
066going to have some bits and pieces here and there um that need some repair work. You can see kind of here some of these protrusions that come out. Um it's just a way for water to get in. So, you know, it's it's performing as it should for a building of its age. There's going to be some some things that need to be addressed obviously. Um and then the windows were replaced about 20 years ago. um they operate uh but they're just not to what we would uh install today in a code compliance situation. So a Minnesota energy code situation. Uh next slide. Uh still staying on the outside of the building. You have some of these exterior doors that are a little beat up. That's just again where we live. So you have salt and
067sand getting thrown on it. Um it's, you know, temperature influxes. So uh pretty normal wear and tear. Uh what I wanted to show you is the 1963 part. So think the rest of the building, not the tower. Those window openings or windows themselves actually date back to the 60s. We believe they them to be original to that vintage. So think single pane glass um >> yeah very much so. Very inefficient. Would not be up to today's energy code. >> Not stained glass. Single pane glass you said. Oh, I'm sorry. Single paint. >> You said that. >> Okay. >> That that vintage >> that I can touch on a few interior. >> Yeah, >> you're the architect. Take it away. >> Yep. >> Um I'll represent John as best I can. So, interior wise that I
068talked about accessibility outside the building, but also there's some things inside the building that we recognized. Um, one example here would be obviously like the classroom sinks, but for accessibility, you actually need like a forward appro approach for um for wheelchair accessibility at classroom sinks as well. So, obviously it's it's the finishes, the conditions. Um, you know, typically we would like to have this stuff like cleaning supplies or whatever. Um, irons in in an enclosed cabinet right up above so you don't have to risk something like that falling on a on a child. and go to the next one. >> U again, more finishes, accessibility, hazardous materials in some of the spaces. And Fed, if you could just briefly touch on, I believe we had some input on the abatement or hazardous materials as well.
069Is that correct? >> Yeah, we had uh some input from your environmental consultant um knowing that you guys are required to do um annual inspections of things like asbestous and lab and stuff like that. So we reached out to them just to see what products that we know contain asbestous just so we have that dollar amount and we can give that to Carl Sanderson and kind of factor that in because that plays a big role when you start to talk about budget. So we just don't want to forget about that. >> The next one um I think this will be the last one. Again we see those finishes acoustics. So some of the panels are starting to be are falling off here. you see where one's missing there, for example, flooring, doors, um that are
070just worn. Um and so again, that would be an example of maybe something that's not um that's not critical, right? But it's maybe not performing the best, right? So those are the things when you think about those priorities. So >> Oh, all right. Back to you. This is back, this is out of my subject again. >> Oh, you don't want to play a mechanical engineer? Okay. Um, our second to last category is our mechanical plumbing. So, looked at the boiler plant. Um, the big 1963 original steam boiler still chugging along. Um, but obviously not the most efficient piece of equipment um out there. So, we're on a steam system and a lot of schools have converted to hot water just based on energy efficiency. be way better um temperature control um which is not what
071we see in this room right now, but um so noted that. And then um this picture here, we actually reached out to our uh food service company that we work with a lot and did a little deep dive into the kitchen equipment just knowing that it's been offline for a number of years and kind of what the condition of that equipment is. is anything solidable? Um, so had those conversations with our vendor and Belinda and her team. So, a lot of that stuff um is just not going to be up to today's standards based on um capacity and some things that um our lead and water has created some issues. So, we've uh abated that issue, but um not knowing the long-term effects of that. So, and that equipment has sat idle for five plus
072years. >> Oh, at least. >> Yes. >> Probably closer to 10. >> Okay. So, just kind of knowing all that, we we worked with Charles Anderson and we're kind of carrying a dollar amount there. So, these are just other components of the mechanical system. Here in the 1963 building, you have these vertical unit ventilators in each classroom that kind of take up space. They're loud. Uh these were originally put in in 2003. So we're kind of coming to the end of their useful life. Parts are hard to come by. Um you guys, this is Cass and Manville went through the same thing. Blooming Prairie is going through the same thing. So other schools in the area had this equipment and yeah, just hearts are hard to come by and they're super inefficient and they're just
073allowed in a classroom setting or office setting. Um some of this other mechanical equipment. This is um the unit that feeds the gym. Not even hooked up anymore. So there's no ventilation system in that gym whatsoever. There is only baseboard heat. So think about no fresh air in the gym right now. And then this far here, I should have moved this over. These are just the little air conditioning units that are associated with these. So and then wanted to take a picture of evidence of me crawling in the tunnel. And then finally, our electrical technology. Um, we are still using power distribution from the 60s. So, your main power distribution panel is from 1963. And then, um, you kind of got two different systems. You've got the one in the boiler room and then you've
074got this one that feeds um the 1930s building. Both of those date back to 1960. So, um, just like some of the mechanical equipment, parts are hard to come by. Um, a lot of these schedules are crossed off, written over, faded. We don't know what it serves. Um, so a little bit um, nuance there and it's just at the end of its life. It's it's lived a good life. So, um, just more on the distribution. This is just a branch panel that we find like typical of your home. Um except these in this school are found in like hallways where kids have access to them. Excuse me. Um so in modernday design, we are putting these in a limited access room so Johnny and Sally can't open that up and say, "Oh, what's this breaker
075do?" So um and then the emergency lighting control this is actually dead does not operate. So we have limited emergency lighting and then just that opportunity to upgrade um our lighting system. So a lot of it is the old fluoresence and nowadays we have kind of transitioned to uh LED. So, >> all right. Any questions on what we said so far? >> Any surprises? >> No, we kind of all giggle because we've just had this conversation. >> Yeah, >> it does work. >> Yeah, >> I shouldn't say we're well aware because the staff obviously is more than we are, but they're here every day. And just know the spreadsheet that kind of gathers all this is probably you know about 300 items plus that >> right around there. Yeah. >> Kind of giving a purge
076summary of that and that's what Josh and the district have been really helpful starting to get some feedback on the conditions or like oh yeah I haven't been able to get a part for that for six months or whatever. So >> so we just wanted to flash some graphics in front of you um as it relates to cost. So we can run the measure, we can run the costs a couple different scenarios. So in this particular one, we've broken it out by those four categories that we talked about. So you just approaching about half your all-in cost, which is about 14.2 million is what we identified in deferred maintenance costs. Um, which is pretty typical for um a building of this size and the vintages that we're dealing with. Um, that's nothing that's alarming to
077us. We've seen it before, but so kind of breaking broken down by category. And then we took it a step further in this instance. We really wanted to know like what the difference between the two vintages were. So the 30s versus that 1963 building. So here um 63 is about 6.2 and the 1930s over 4 million. And then this final piece of the pie there is almost 4 million. that is systems that feed both. So, think lighting, think HVAC. Um, so we just wanted to kind of break that down for you because that comes in on a few slides from here. Even further breakdown. >> Um, and I should have this memorized. Sorry, I don't. But the square footages aren't exactly equal between the 30s and the 63. So, >> I got a chart for
078you. >> Oh, there we go. >> The next slide here will show that breakdown. So you might Yeah, for those of you that had that in your mind, the architect in the room did. Yep. So this is the square footage breakdown. So about 31,000 square feet for the 63 building versus about 15,000 for the 1930s tower. >> So you think about that, okay, if there's 6 million in the 63, recognize it's twice the square footage as the 31 building. So again, there is an element of just dated systems, right? So keep that in mind. >> And then this final pie chart here is that cost by priority. So about 10.3 million is an immediate need is what we identified as a priority one >> and that'll continue to wiggle as we get feedback from the
079district leadership as well. U this is us going through our side and then we'll continue to get feedback as that gets refined. So >> I can start on this count and feel free to jump in this. So um this what we have in front of you is what we call the facility condition index. And basically what that does is it takes your total deferred maintenance and then it compares that to hey what if we decided to build new and you kind of gives you that percentage or that ratio. So, what we did here, similar to that pie chart, one of the pie charts I showed you, we broke it down by the entire building, the 1930s portion, and then that 1963 area. So, total building, you're sitting at 46,000 square ft. So, we're budgeting or
080we're thinking $450 a square foot gets you a new building nowadays. That's >> that changes by the hour as can attest to. And we identified about 14.2 million in deferred maintenance buildingwide. And this spits out your 68% of U condition score. Kevin will talk about the condition score um here shortly. But then just wanted to compare those two here. So when you run the numbers on the 1930s portion, you wind up with an 88% of um replacement cost versus deferred maintenance. And then when you look only at the 63, that number drops to 59% of a new replacement uh based on deferred maintenance. >> Yeah, I would just say this is this isn't something we run through this analysis on every project because a lot of project, you know, don't um we just don't have
081to, right? But we thought it was important to really look at this just from a data perspective. So from um uh from like a MDE perspective, >> they would look at this and say you could probably go either way, right? So um support for replacement would be there from a state approval process, but also you as a district, you could argue the case of we want to invest. So I would say in the 60% range, you could be somewhere there. But I think this was really interesting to us. um breaking it down by area um looking at that differently um because I think that just starts to help think about the different areas because again we can think about it in that lens right it doesn't have to be an all or nothing um it
082really you know we can start looking at options down the road far as what based on area um so this was just I think helpful to look at um this would from an MD perspective 88% would definitely you know they would lean towards recommending replacement there. 59% I would say um yeah I would say they MD would say we would support continue to invest in that facility. Okay. So any questions on that? It's like a lot of information that kind of comes into a simple chart. Go ahead. >> So if we did the perk maintenance cost would that bring that I know I'm just trying to wrap this in my head. Would we then be at a 100% or a 0% condition index score because we've addressed all the needs or is there still going
083to be because it's a space of it's a 65y old build, >> right? Uh I'm trying to think of how I want to answer that. you're you're still going to have needs down in the future, but as far as like, it's a it's a onetoone comparison for replacement. So, there's still going to be you're still going to like even um your barricade, your newest bullet, right? There's still maintenance things that you got to do and address there down the road. Maintenance is maint you get to a zero or are you still just because it's a building and building >> just I think just you're just going to have those issues but anything from 0 to 5% or 0 to 10% is considered a healthy good building. >> Yeah. >> Y >> um I have a
084question >> actually two for the entire building. Um, as like a voter looking on the outside, $6 million more to get a brand new building to me would be like an easy box to check. Yes. Then they have a whole new building, right? >> But for that 21 million, is that just the shell or is that like a fully furnished ready to open the door? >> Save what we can obviously, but >> up to date. um like what we did out at Bear Cave with the new types of tables and >> chairs and stuff for all of our handicap students that we have here. >> I would say the furniture and things like that wouldn't be factored into that. >> So like the $450 the $450 is just a building. >> Yeah. Getting you a
085comparable building. >> It's not quite a functioning. >> It will include the >> So right you've got a building and then it's your job to dress it up to make it function. >> So that just that's that's your starting point. this comparison >> and it's for that 46,000 foot which is complex where this is >> that is what this >> so that would be if we felt like we needed >> that would be my first question is do you need 46,000 square ft for what we >> need >> yeah so it's hard to compare that because we don't know if we would really need that >> because how many how much of this building is not even used right >> and how much more do should we need to use >> you're going to like
086you're leading me to that next >> you paid me for the sacri >> okay any other questions before we get into the space utilization. All right. All right. Exciting stuff. So, here we go. So, we were trying to come up with a way of like how do you document how space is used in the building and is it used well, right? So, we came up with um a stoplight is what we came up with. So, red is that the space is unsuitable for its current use. Okay? Yellow is it's acceptable but maybe not ideal. Okay. um and we'll come across a couple examples and then green is hey this space is designed for how it's being used pretty accurately. Okay, so we'll start on the lowest level main entrance down here secure entrance. So again
087just the size configuration there um that that lands in red but um looking at these classroom spaces here as you come in and go down the hall the size of them are reasonable. So again, I'm I'm ignoring all the data I know about the condition of those spaces, just thinking about size, utilization, things like that. Okay. So these spaces are reasonable. Um the cafeteria, again, I'm thrown out of what I know about the how it's working and things like that. It it's a decent size space for that sort of multi-purpose cafeteria function. Um and then the spaces down here. So I'm going to jump to the other side. So, I'm going to finish up the the 63. So, the 63, I should also say, sort of wrapped around the 1930s. Okay. So, 1930s in here
088and the 63 wrapped around it. These spaces generally very good. Um, tiger tots, tiger tots, um, before and after school care. Again, I would say maybe this is an example of something maybe more space than we need, but it's working well, okay, for those functions. So, there's going to be some instances like that. gymnasium, locker rooms, um those spaces really all of this um there's some limitations structurally um because like limited on storage of some of the spaces here because of weight um because of the old structure. So that's why you're seeing these showing up in red not only from space u but also limitations that they currently have. You want to scroll to the next one. Okay. So, second floor. Again, you'll see yellow, a lot of yellow here. Now, again, the caveat here
089is that it's a whole classroom being used as an office. Okay. So, it's working, but we could get better utilization of those spaces, right? If we if we had a better function there. Uh the restrooms are green. Those are, you know, good size spaces overall. Um again, here's that storage mezzanine for example, that is low like weight limited. So, it's very limit um it's limited what we can have there. Um so, those spaces are are red up here. And again, we just have some spaces that are really disconnected from the rest of the school. Scroll down. Last one. >> I don't know if there's any surprises. >> There we are. >> A lot of red up here. Um here's a boardroom here. And again, it's just really hard because I felt disconnected. Everything is here.
090Um as well. So, I think it's a diagram that we like just to think about how well spaces function. Um, any comments or questions or surprises with that? >> Go ahead. I was just going to say back to your comment, I'm sure all this space up here not utilized well, right? >> Because it just kind of limited. It's kind of is what you have. So, I think if you were now, you know, if you were jumping ahead of like would we ever consider replacement? Would we build 46,000 square feet? I don't think so. I think that true current day need is different, but that's just how we did that correlation. >> Yeah. So, that would be my first question is what does our need, right? Because then you look at those costs. You say, what's
091your replacement cost and what's your what's your um repair costs? Well, it might only be 14,000 to have a brand new building for what we actually need the space for. >> Fair. But and then the where where I like that comparison of uh invest or replace is it's if we're going to invest then we're investing in that whole 15,000 or 30,000 square feet. Does that make sense? >> It's hard to just >> chop off part of a space like here you can't chop off a floor unfortunately right. Um, so it helps thinking through that of do we keep, do we not keep, uh, kind of comparison and then once we have some initial thoughts of like, yeah, I think we need to at least look at what do options look like for keeping, um, then
092we kind of run through options within that or concepts. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Aaron, did you have a question? >> No, you got to before I did. >> Okay. So, uh, the other thing that we did is we did a district-wide staff survey. Okay. So, we felt it's important at the beginning of this process, your entire staff gets a voice and and what do they think the needs are? We thought this was going to be a really interesting um, data set because you guys you guys have history, right? You guys have been trying to solve this for a while. Where's the staff at? Do they are they in alignment with what the the needs or approaches been in the past? What else is out there? Right? We want to make sure
093we're coming into this eyes wide open as much as possible. So Belinda, if you want to scroll down, we broke this down by building. I'm not going to read through every one of these, but happy to share this afterwards. We took all the data um and summarized it. So we went by building and then we break it down into these one, two, three, four, five, six, I'll say seven categories from safety, parking, comfort, classrooms, school size, support spaces. But then we like to talk about this. This is really interesting. Biggest district need. The reason we like this is now it starts to get the staff thinking outside of just my space and outside of my building, but as a whole um what what do I think? Right? So, we really like that because it it
094just gets people your staff. Um and again, think about where you could be a few months from now. Um you know, down the road of a time of a survey, you have community members asking staff like, "Well, what do you think about this?" I don't know. I didn't get asked, right? So, it's really important that they get a part of the process, share some feedback, and then we really get a great understanding of the little nuances, how the spaces are maybe challenging or working well. Um, okay. So, I'm not going to go through all these in detail, but again, like I said, I'll I'll send these out. I don't think there's going to be a lot of surprises here. 29 responses at the CC build here. I'll scroll. >> This is this was attached to
095our board meeting, too. So, we had we all had access to it prior to you coming. >> Bonner 51 responses. A couple of things that really stood out. Accessibility were a couple things that stood out there. Um, but here's where I'm going to focus on each of them. Biggest name in the district, secure entrances, early childhood facility solution, accessibility, and just overall improvements at bottom. So, again, you're seeing examples of other building staff seeing the needs just outside of their specific building. Next slide. Bear Cave. Um, again, overall in great shape, right? They're not asking for a lot there, but I again, this I was really happy to see thinking outside of just a specific building, early childhood facility solution, wait room came up quite a bit. Uh, update Bonner and then just high school
096updates. And next one, middle school. Um, I underlined some of them that probably stood out a little bit more. So, when you see there's a few underlined in there, that's why those are underlined. for example, um biggest district need more m space for middle high school um early childhood facility solution. So those are the two things that really stood out there. And then the high school um biggest need secure entrances, CEC solution, science labs um as far as updates and just space and a need for indoor athletic space. So again, not saying you have to do all these things, right? But it just kind of gives you an idea of where is our staff um at on what do they see the needs to be. I thought this was really interesting. Every single school majority
097of that what are the biggest needs CDC the solution here truly did come out districtwide. Okay. 53 responses. I guess >> kudos to the staff. I think it was like percentage-wise one of the best um >> survey results that we saw. >> So it was bumping up to like 80%. Yeah, districtwide like 80 over 80% response rate. So, we were uh that was awesome. So, appreciate that. >> They're all aware. >> I was gonna say that speaks to >> and they got their reminders to fill it out. Good. I'm glad they did. >> I mean, number one, yes, we do have a very um you know, committed staff that that wants to see solutions, but it also speaks to the glaring problems that >> So, projects to consider. Uh don't read too much into the
098title. Really all we wanted to do is all right we've taken all that data okay and we said all right Carl Anderson has done a great job working closely with that on budgeting those capital maintenance things but if we were to say well what are options with this facility we probably need to draw something up in order for these guys to price it. Okay. So, what we started here is thinking about districtwide, what are things that we may need to put concepts to in order for Charlie to, you know, uh, really work on cost estimates and things like that to it. So, CC coming up with a variety of options here. So, holistic uh solution or options, Bonner, secure entrance improvements, accessible playground, accessible restrooms. And I should mention there's some going to be some
099things here that overlap with what that presented, right? So, he'd probably um not at Bonner specifically, but CZ, you know, we know some things obviously here, right? But u Bonner um some things that we potentially want to look at. Bear Cave, nothing there. middle school. Um there was some comments about the capacity of the non-core spaces. So um breakout spaces, cafeteria commons and some of those functions. >> And I think also they were thinking about the life skills and the steam classes. >> Oh yeah. Upgrading those like you had proposed and getting rid of the lockers and making it more of like a gather. >> Yeah, that's kind of what we saw. >> So think about those support those core spaces. Not saying you need to do it now, but we can easily look at
100options for it. Secure entrance. uh high school secure entrance, updated science labs, uh weight room, additional space, multi-purpose wrestling additional space. The reason we put this list together is I think as a board you have thoughts now if there's anything on your like I think we need to look at that or I would say between now and your next board meeting, sure any feedback to Belinda if you're like, hey, I think we also need to look at this as far as a concept. um or hey, I don't think as a group we should just even consider this at this time. Just recognize that within some of these there's probably a few different options that we're going to look at. It's not just like all a single concept. Um there's going to be, you know, some
101of like like a secure entrance that might be pretty straightforward, but obviously this facility there's going to be a quite a few different ideas that we're going to uh come up with. All right, questions? It just makes me happy hopefully to do something. >> I would just say the whole time we've been on the board. >> Um Eddie as board members appreciate the time that you priority look through the data a little bit. If you have questions, comments about that conditions, the findings, happy to respond to them. Um any questions that you have because again this is really foundational. let's understand the conditions of the facilities and then we can work towards solutions from there. >> One thing I would like the board to consider is um as we move into the new year and
102whoever's on that facility committee if the facility committee wants to sit down with ISG and Krauss to look at the grid of all the things they found all the things that are good fair or poor condition or the priority ranking system because that's not shared with you here. um we really wanted this to be kind of an overview of what they found and wanted to share with us today, but there's a lot of data that supports all of this work. So whether or not the facility committee wants to get into the weeds on that or not, um or if you want the whole board to see that stuff, um we just really wanted to kind of wed your appetite tonight. And then we really need to decide moving forward how involved you want the whole
103board to be or if you want the facility committee to be taking the lead on that. Yeah, our facility committee um consists of three board members that in the past have sat down with our groups and then they'll come and kind of tell the board this is what the three of us heard. This is what we think we should do and it's worked out just because you know all of our time is valuable so >> it helps to have those committees too. >> Sure. >> Good. >> Um are there any other questions while they're here tonight? Okay. Um, don't need to go through it now, but in that attachment, you'll see at the end of this just upcoming timeline. So, again, just know that we'll continue to work towards the upcoming dates and such. But,
104yeah. >> So, would hypothetically speaking, this is very hypothetical, >> um, just because um, it costs the district money every time when when we go out for a vote when it's not a vote, would potentially this would be on the vote for next November, like a year. Uh potentially >> 26. >> I think it'd be 27. >> 27 for Okay. So >> I think it'd be 27 because if you were November of 26, you'd be due to MDE in the middle summer. I just don't I think that would be a terrible election. So then more votal turnout in the primary election. >> Then that would be 28. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Otherwise, if it's 27, it just cost the district money. It' be a special election then >> because we're on um so we would
105be 26 >> unless there's something else on the ballot. >> Unless there's something else on the ballot for the city or whatever, but otherwise >> yeah, I'll talk to um our team and then also financial advisor and just see if they're tracking anything at this time so we can be thoughtful about that. So, >> I think the November 26th timeline >> is going to be a bit um rushed >> because you'll have some transition in this role that I'm in and having somebody new come in >> right when you have to get everything to NDE. That timing is at the same time, right? >> I understand that. I wouldn't want to do that too. >> Oh, so from a community engagement standpoint, I don't think there's quite enough time. >> So, then it would be
106either a special election in 27 or we would wait for the primary in 28. Okay. and we can look at those options in between there are additional dates. >> Yeah, there are bonds that you can go through. >> Okay. >> Unlike an operating levy which is >> there's a spring date and state and yeah there other dates you can choose. >> Okay. >> April, isn't there? >> Y >> it just cost the district money. That's why I was asking. >> We didn't do a special election. >> But >> all right. We would not want >> No, I think that's good. we kind of covered what upcoming are. So, >> um I do want to thank the team from IS and Krauss. They've done a great job of getting an understanding of where the district is
107and where the needs are. I also appreciate the staff and the survey results. um just one the number of staff that participated and two their ability and willingness to look outside of their own space and really consider the impact of the environment that we're teaching and learning in for their colleagues and students across the system. Um I was really encouraged by the results from each building. So >> thank you thank you for your time. >> Happy holidays. You're free to go. This isn't this isn't a vote. This was justformational. So, thank you. >> Next item on the agenda would be 10E. Consider and adopt the resolution for combined polling places, which I was just talking about voting. This is a yearly um resolution that we have to approve every year for our two polling places.
108So, this is if we have an election that is not on the general election cycle. Um, and we would then do two sites. If it's a general election, whether that's midterms in 26 or primary election in 28 and we have something on the ballot, it'll be at all sites. But if it is a special election that only the district is running, then we do two sites, one in Stewartville and one. >> Are there any questions? All right. I would seek a motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> I have a motion from Mr. Ravenhorse and a second from Mr. Gist. And this would be resolution. So we'll go Miss Cook. >> Hi. >> Mr. G. >> Hi. >> Miss Kefir. >> Hi. >> Mr. Lman. >> Hi. >> Mr. Ravenhorst. >> Hi. >> I for
109myself. Resolution carries 6 with one member absent. Next item on the agenda is to consider and approve our January 5th meeting for 2026. And that will be our organizational board meeting. We just haven't approved any meetings for the upcoming year. So, we need to approve that one so we can start the year off. Are there any questions? All right. I would seek a motion for approval of that meeting. Would start at 7 p.m. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. G and a second by Mr. Ravenhorst. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Motion carries. 6. >> And that would be our next meeting. I can't even believe it. is going to be the new year. >> All right, mark that on your calendar, everyone. Uh, next item on the
110agenda is to consider and adopt the 2627 school calendar. And as of last Thursday, we had received no emails unless somebody had heard something different. >> So, hearing nothing, I would assume that this calendar is good to go. Staff hadn't responded to either Miss Selfers or I. >> All good. >> Or anyone from the community for that matter. I community members just asked me about is there a calendar? Oh yeah, I would direct them towards and nobody responded back like >> why are we having this or what about that? So thank >> great thank you >> to have it done early for them >> and thank you Mr. Ravenhorse for being on that committee. >> Yeah, no problem. It was easy this time. >> So I would uh seek a motion for the approval of
111next year's calendar. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. Lman and a second by Mr. Ravenhorst. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos same sign. Motion carries. 6. Next we'll talk about board committee updates. Uh facilities. Nothing. Meet and confer. No. >> Negotiations. We are still in process with the um Steuartville United Educators and hope to um have a meeting next week that is scheduled policy. And then we'll move on to schoolboard visits. Have any schoolboard members done a visit they'd like to share? >> I went to the middle school high school here last week over Wednesday and Thursday. Uh saw the ramifications of us cutting a teacher out of sections six, seven, and eight. There are some very full classrooms. >> Mr. Kokus talked about how students
112don't use their lockers and I'm wondering if they don't use their lockers, maybe we could get rid of them. >> Yeah, to my knowledge, lockers haven't really been used that much since 2020. It was co when they carried their backpacks around from class to class >> and there are very few students that use their lockers. >> Way it sounds is kids don't have books anymore. So, it's like, well, maybe we need to get rid of those lockers and use a space for something else. >> Um, sat in on a steam class a little bit. Uh kind of wish those were around when I was in school. Kind of freak out. Yeah. Um yeah, that was it there. And then Thursday I walked around with more Mr. Malone. >> Mr. Bone. That's what I walked around
113with. I got I can't think of his name. That's okay. Okay. Um yeah, he said the same thing. Nobody uses their lockers. Um the science labs. Yeah, I can see it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well loved. 1967 science lab. >> Well, from when it was built, I'm guessing >> it is. It's 100%. Yeah. >> Um and then we walked into the I guess I'm going to call it the Votech rooms, the woods, metals, and the egg classroom. Um they're small. Overall, I felt the high school was in had a lot more space than the middle school has. Talked to a few teachers and that was it. >> Great. Great. Thank you for going. >> Anyone else? >> I was at Bonner today. Um, I wasn't I had kind of a tight schedule, so I wasn't there
114too long. But, uh, hung out, greeted all the kids as they came in. Um, did a lap with Mr. Mackenroy, and one thing that I don't know if the public knows, but every single day he goes into every classroom in the morning, says hi to every teacher and all the kids. And then it's it's a routine. And I just wanted to say that out loud that I don't think people understand the commitment that and the the connection that he's created there. And so I did that with him and then we had a conversation for probably about half hour, 45 minutes about where things are going and where they're at. And it was nice to visit. I always like visiting with him. >> Izzy really likes that. >> What's that? >> Izzy really likes it when
115he goes into the classroom. >> Yeah, you can see it. It's just they they they just boom, they blow up, you know, and And like he said, he goes, "How can you not have a good day when you start like that?" Right. >> Yeah. >> That's such an elementary level though because like if it happened in the middle of school or high school to be like, >> "Who is he here for?" >> Well, here are bullying. >> There definitely is like a fleeting window of age, right? >> Yes. >> You're allowed to do that. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. You're good. Okay. All right. Well, thank you for the updates. I look forward to hearing more in the new year. I have too. I the infinity online governance meets in December. So I did
116that meeting last that was last week. Um they had their audit as well. Um everything seemed fine. Actually their revenues exceeded expenditure this year but apparently not last year. So that was good good news. It was interesting because they said actually their the school district that has the most students there was so they like mentioned us. But we're also one of the biggest districts they have. So I mean it's not like >> um >> it's linear. >> Yes. Yep. Um they've talked about some of, you know, they're hoping for some more opportunities and how they've expanded upon some things. Um some of their languages, stuff like that. So um nothing big to share, but just kind of a good midyear check. So they did talk a little bit too about like some people are asking
117like the accountability for online learning and everything and why they see such success. So they talked through what they do with accountability and how they kind of make sure students are being successful online because that's always a a balance, right? Um so that was interesting as well just to kind of hear what they do. So yeah, they meet another meeting in the end of the year. So that one is usually a little bit more about like completion rates and all that type of stuff. So >> great. Thank you for that update, too. Okay, next item on the agenda would be item 12, board discussion. So, in front of you is the proposed meeting schedule for 2026. So, um, correct me if I'm wrong, Miss Alers, but this will be voted on at the next organizational
118meeting, but just take it home. >> Did you want to change the truth and taxation to 6:30 again or did you want to >> That is at 7 on the property tax statements. We >> Oh, right. Right. Right. >> had it tonight at because we had three big presentations. >> I get that. Yeah. the the through the taxation part has to be draft. >> Yeah. If you go it only statutoily has to be after six o'clock, but we normally have it as part of our meeting. >> Yeah. >> Um we can leave it for now and then in the future if there's other presentations, we can change it. I know we have in the past and we've I know we've also changed the January one in the past when they've been really busy. >> Um
119but yeah, just take this home and if for some reason if there was anything typed wrong or anything, just let us know. um at the January 5th meeting when we um put that out for approval and then um sign up for board member committees that's in front of you. We would like that returned tonight before you leave because then at the January meeting we will tell you who is assigned to what committee. Um it's on the list of who's already on each committee, how often they meet. Um, so if you could return that to Miss Selfers. Um, before you leave tonight, can I just suggest on the um form to fill it out, you give your name and then for schoolboard work, which is the four committees or five committees at the top, facility, finance,
120policy, negotiations, and zed. There's three members on those committees. That's why we need you to choose two or three as a preference. And then for the advisory and community lison, there's only one member on each of those. So then we need you to just choose one or two. It gives us a little bit more flexibility when we put them together. That makes sense. >> Yep. And I was just going to say too, if you're already on a committee um and maybe you didn't meet much this year and you want to stay on it because you might get an uptick this next year, like aka facilities or something like that, you know, feel free to sign up for it again. Um, usually the chair and the vice chair and um the treasurer are the ones that
121do negotiations, but anybody can. It's just that's just usually the way that goes. >> Next year should be >> I don't know. >> I don't think there's really anything apart from a a new >> principles. Yeah. >> and the new superintendent, right? >> So, it should be a pretty light year. >> So, yeah. So, sign up for those and turn that in um please before you go. And then uh board officer positions. Um this is open for discussion. Um there has been interest in all of the positions for the upcoming year. Um if anyone has uh interest in a position um they can let me know or they can seek nom nom excuse me nom nomination for the January meeting. And correct me if I'm wrong but you just need one. And then I repeat,
122we repeat it three times. Correct. >> Need one what? >> One nomination. >> And a second. And a second. I apologize. >> Okay. >> And then we repeat it three times if there are any other nominations. Okay. >> So, did do we does anybody want to discuss that or go with those of you that have spoke interest and look for your nominations? >> If you're seeking a position, if you could have somebody who will nominate you and get your second, that would be great. If you are going to nominate somebody, please check with them before the meeting so that they don't get caught off guard. Oh, >> sure. They don't nominate him. They're like, "What?" >> Yeah. >> And then the last thing on here is the MSBA conference. And I believe that's just so
123that we could have everybody get the app. >> Is that open yet, Christie? Do you know? >> Um, I don't see it. >> No. So the the journal will come out with the QR code to get the app. Okay. Um it's supposed to be mailed out that you would receive it by the end of December. >> Okay. >> And then it'll have the QR code to get the app. You can delete the old app and redownload. So I would just wait until then. >> Okay. So once you get the journal, if it is prior to the January 5th meeting, that would be great if you could um get the app because then at the organizational meeting, we can kind of talk about what our interests are for the sessions. And if not, no big deal.
124We'll have time up at the conference as well. >> I say, I mean, the app is really, it's nice. >> Oh, it's very nice. >> You can put all your stuff in there and then it tells you if there's conflicts and it gives you like >> Yeah. >> It even tells you like, hey, your class is going to start at >> this time, you know, which is really important for me. >> But yeah, otherwise the conference will be after our January meeting. So, we can also talk about that at the organizational meeting. Um, as you remember the organizational meeting is a lot of yearly >> organizations. A lot of motions. >> Yeah. >> There's no business. >> Nope. It's just a lot of reading and a lot of motions. So, >> formalities. >> Yep. >>
125Usually nothing new. So, >> um, are there any questions about the board discussion items that we just discussed or anything anyone wants to add? >> Do you want to do reminders on your upcoming meetings between >> Oh, yes. I did just want to say um could you all please check your calendar just because um this isn't on our schoolboard meeting date because it's with um MSBA about the superintendent search. That would be January 12th at 6 p.m. That's our next and last um training with them before we start the >> Say it again. >> We get that. >> January 12th at 6:00 p.m. >> It's a special meeting. >> It's our special meeting that we scheduled with them. And then the 21st. >> Um, and then the 21st. >> Yep. >> And these will be
126posted. And then the 24th would be our Saturday of all day interviews. >> Plus the schoolboard meeting. So January is quite busy for us. So I just wanted to make sure you all had that. >> We got the 12th at 6. You got >> the 12th at 6:00 and then the 21st is also >> 21st >> Wednesday >> is also at 6 >> and then the 24th is a Saturday >> all day. I think it was 9 >> 9 to 5 >> I have I have it written I had >> you emailed it all out. I sent it out. That's okay. Here. Right here. Okay. >> I thought it was 8:30. >> Oh, but that's okay. And I can always resend it if you need, but um I just wanted to make sure just because
127those will be posted just to make sure that everyone had those in their calendar, too. >> And they're just posted on the district bulletin board >> and they'll the >> they're also on the website. The January 12th and the 21st will be here, >> but the interviews will be conducted at BCI Media Center. >> So, good idea. >> Yep. >> Turn up the heat. >> Yep. So, if there aren't any other questions, the next item on the agenda would be adjournment. Who would seek a motion? >> So, move. >> Second. >> I have a motion by Mr. G, a second by Miss Keeper. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I post same sign. Meeting is adjourned at 8:16 p.m. Thank you everyone.