001address. 31st building their daughter Sonia and prevented her from attending school since the end of September. It also details the struggle that we have had in convincing the superintendent to hire a mold professional to conduct proper testing. On November 13th, we presented to the school board here asking for your help to rid the Becker High School building of harmful mold. Asking for your help to make the responsible decision to hire a mold professional. We had assumed that all of you had read the materials that we sent and understood the struggle we're having and that you would engage with us in a meaningful conversation and a conflict resolution. But that didn't happen. He responded by not asking us a single question, but instead turning to the superintendent and allowing him to mislead and misrepresent the facts.
002On November 16th, we again emailed all of you since we've received absolutely no response or followup. Aaron, Heat, Ronnie, Ryan, Corey, did any of you read the emails and the documents we sent? If no, why not? We are a family in the school district seriously struggling with the school administrators. The school board is supposed to be the people we turned to when we were at odds with the school administration. Why are we being ignored? Why is it impossible to believe that mold could exist exactly where we said it is? Why would hiring a professional to perform targeted testing be a bad decision? We reached out to several contractors and the type of testing we're talking about would cost less than $1,000. A far cry from the few hundred,000 that was said at the last meeting.
003The superintendent continues to broadcast that no other students or families have reported symptoms of mold exposure. We have firsthand knowledge of another family that reported to the high school that their student is also exhibiting symptoms. How many others are we not being told about? We also know that there is an issue in the high school with nosebleleeds. Apparently, the solution for the nose bleeds is to add humidifiers. Nose bleeds are also a symptom of mold exposure. I would know I used to get them when I was exposed to mold. Since when is the school administration able to diagnose that nose bleeds are only caused by low humidity? There is a mold problem in the high school. Here's just a few of the rooms with mold. Room 610 with Mr. Wui. Room 510 with Miss Denny.
004Room 215 with Mr. Moravik. Room 216 with Mr. Eggert. Room 227 with Mr. Noose, the principal's office. This room we are in right now. So now, can you see the scope of this problem and that it needs to be dealt with immediately before you have future lawsuits on your hands? Mold is a silent killer and in the high school and people in the high school are silently getting sick. Can you look in the mirror and be okay with that? If not, here's a solution to this problem. We are proposing that we will hire a professional contractor at our cost to conduct air sample testing above the ceiling in two areas that we identified. If those tests come back positive for mold, then the school will reimburse us and proceed accordingly. Now that the cost of
005testing is no longer a factor, is the school administration finally ready to meet with us? It's time for the school board to step up and be leaders. this is what you have been elected to do and why you've been put into the positions that you are in. Thank you. >> Can I just ask one question? >> How did you find that these rooms that you just listed are the ones that have mold? I am trained in advanced applied kinesiology and I also confirmed with my colleague who has been also doing that for 35 years plus helping people identify mold. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Can I ask a question? >> Yeah, I've got a question. What what are the two areas >> that we want to test? >> Sure. Yes. We will identify those once
006we know that you will move forward with us being able to do the testing. >> We've listed several >> I had asked that in in one of my emails to you. What were the two areas? >> But one of them we recommended >> the principal's office >> was about the principal's office. >> Yeah. >> That's law. >> Yes. >> And we can use one of these other ones above one of these other classrooms. >> So So I've got a couple questions for you. So, I've been working in this building for 30 years, whether it's been doing maintenance or as a custodian. I've spent more time in this ceiling of this entire campus. I have a very good knowledge of it. Um, so if your theory is that it's trapped above the concrete, like we can
007go for a walk and we can go down to like the shop where you can see it. I want to know how mold that would be above concrete is going to affect the indoor air quality. That's in my head actually ridiculous. >> It's in the same way that it it it happens in houses where you have sheetrock, you have a vapor barrier, you have insulation, the mold is in the insulation, and it affects the inside air in the house. >> Yep, it very well can. But you're talking completely different because that concrete is sealed from the indoor air and this Plenum has constant air movement. If if that was the case, we could see it. But you I I don't see a scenario that that honestly makes sense. And like I said, I have spent
008and I did read all of your emails and I have been involved with Rick and Jeremy probably more than anyone on this. I I honestly don't I don't buy into it. I believe it's in your home. >> It's not in our home. >> It's not at our home, sir. >> Wait. This is why >> unless you completely this is why we want you to hire a professional >> unless but there's no there's no evidence to hire anyone. >> So I it is my I understand I totally want you guys to feel safe and feel comfortable but I have as much knowledge of this building as anyone here and it's not feasible. It's just absolutely not. Can I ask you what experience you have with mold? >> I don't have experience with mold, but I know
009mold when I see it and I know where mold can grow. And mold, it's pretty tough for mold to grow in something that is completely dry and completely sealed off from the environment. And if we want to test a brand new roof and we destroy that roof, who's going to warranty that roof when we just paid >> millions of dollars? The example we gave about the principal's office, it's not a brand new look. It it very well I I don't know the exact scope. Rick could speak to where those but most of this roof is new. >> But either way, who's going to pay for the if that roof is damaged? Who's going to pay for that? >> We didn't suggest opening the roof. We suggest to take an air sample testing of the inside
010of the concrete. That's >> taking samples. >> No, you haven't hired a professional contractor. >> Well, I'm just take proper samples and send them to a lab test. I'm just telling you what >> guidance that we've heard from everywhere and from professionals. I just I don't see it and I'm very rarely will be outspoken about stuff. I I honestly I'm I'm done talking about it. So, >> we didn't see it in our home either. So sometimes you >> I'm aware of the construction of your home and you can tell me what year your home was built and I can also tell you where mold problems will probably be. >> but you said you've never dealt with mold. >> No, I'm not a mold professional, but I have dealt with mold my entire career. >> Any
011further questions? All right. Thank you. All right, bring us on to presentations. We have Rick here for discussion of building and grounds. Rick Ross, building and grounds. Great. Um um just kind of wanted to give an update how the summer went and some of the things we've been doing up to this point since schools started. Um a little while back we applied for a safety grant. We received that safety grant. We handed out bass um cleats and um some shovels miscellaneous places. So, we were able to hand those out and I got my first thank you email today, which does not happen very often. So, that was awesome. Somebody actually used them. I don't care if one pair went out and it was used. That was a win. So, was the playground supervisor going out
012walking through slush and snow and had a pair of cleats on, they felt safe walking. So, that was pretty awesome. I don't get a lot of awesome news in my office, so that was good. So, next next um thing on my list is intermediate school gym floors. Um most of you have been around dealing with that. Our new floors are holding up great. No more cracks, no more buckling. Things have been holding up pretty well. Um just ordered um the two humidifiers. We're going to season the wood for one more year through the winter. Um humidifiers keep it about 30% humidity in the gym areas. Um, and the manufacturer recommends 30%. So, we have dehumidification on our new equipment, but it doesn't humidify. That was another quarter million dollars. Makes sense to put the humid
013fires in, use those instead. Saves a lot of money that way. And once we reseal it again, we won't have to do that next year. So, it's awesome. Floors look great. I haven't heard otherwise. I don't want to either. So, next one on here is a pretty big deal, too, is um Kevin and I worked through some number. Kevin worked a number. If you let me find it, we did LED upgrades here at the high school. Hoping to have those done. Actually, they might be be done by the end of December the way things are going because I got rebates were going in and we're kind of Kevin helped me out here. Maybe it was like 250 to finish the building and then I think Excel rebates were around 50,000. >> That's correct. >> And
014those rebates will be going away. So if we didn't do it this year, we would lost that money. So I already got a warning letter that those are coming to an end. >> And Rick should mention then I believe all of our buildings would be L after this has been completely changed all of the LP. Not that the fixture life that we have less service for, but also with security. Um, these lights are on. You walk in the hallway. It's controlled with sensors. It's got daily harvesting. Somebody comes in my building, I get a call after hours, I can see if somebody's been in that room or if it's a false alarm calling police or call off police. But we haven't had a after hours police dispatch I don't think since last summer. So it's
015been going pretty good. Saves the coaches coming in and doing whatever. But so that's been going good. That's a good upgrade. We also finished up all the preventive maintenance contracts out for the water heaters. Um those are have all been completed. We did boiler tuneups this summer or this fall, sorry. So, those are 100% complete. We also get Excel rebates for doing tuning our boilers every two years. So, those are all up to date. Um, all the annual safety inspections are done. Your fire fire suppressions, sprinklers, and so forth. All that summer work is done. Um, we started doing a little bit of energy conservation u moving into the school year. 68 degree heating set points with 74 cooling set points. Um, again with the LEDs and the sensors and kind of knocking that um
016our 810 budget down for operating every month going to be helpful. We don't have that high load power factor that Excel likes to give us. So those bills have been going down as well. We've also been working towards eliminating all the personal appliances people bring in coffee fs and microwaves and refrigerators treating our classrooms for education not for personal convenience. So that's an ongoing problem and in the end it'll save. So, um, another thing we're looking at is, um, controlling our power coming into the facility through Excel. Kevin and I've been also working with that. We're looking at, um, upgrading our capacitor banks and doing stuff like that. We're waiting for some feedback from Excel to see if we get some rebates for that. And, um, in the end, that capacitor bank cleansed our power
017coming in the building so we don't have any as many surges and power come problems coming throughout the building. It kind of balances the load coming in. So, it's going to reduce our they call it like a power factor and they kind of find us for using dirty power kind of taken from the grid. So, that'll help that. That's in the works. It's not complete. So, it's kind of a big deal. I will give you a little mini update. All of our new facilities, intermediate school, early childhood building, transportation building, and this one, another Jones building, all are performing at like 99%. It's amazing how well that those new upgrades have performed. Energy usage is amazing. Transportation building at Polebark is under grand a month and that's heat as well. So, electricity, it's been going
018great. power consumption, building automation controls. It's all been handling very well. Currently, building ground is fully staffed. Um, but I do have a retirement coming in January, so I'll have an opening if anyone's looking. That's really all I have. Any other questions? My questions, >> something Thank you for all the stuff for all the work that you do. >> Thank you, Rick. >> I like doing it. >> Thank you. Thanks, Rick. >> All right, that moves us on to item number two, reports, and we'll start tonight with student reports. I believe it's Charlie. >> All right. Um, so we'll start with the boys hockey team. They've only had two games so far, but they play again tomorrow sock center. Um the girls hockey team kicked off their season a few weeks ago with an overnight
019trip um for games against Windham and Worthington. Last week they had their cancer night with a pretty good turnout and they hope to come away with a win from their game tomorrow against Morris Benson. The boys basketball team looks forward to their first game tomorrow against Legacy Christian. Um they face a tough opponent but they will play hard and they look to come out on top. Girls basketball game or sorry the girls basketball team had a game on Saturday and they beat Jordan in a blowout. Um they play Elk River on Tuesday and Totino on Thursday. Both are going to be tough games, but they can definitely win them and they are currently ranked eighth in the state. Um, for gymnastics, their first meet is on Friday against Weisetta and Chaska at home. It's kind
020of like a scrimmage though because it's not the conference meet, but their first conference meet is next Thursday home against Princeton. >> My turn. >> Okay. Um, the dance team has had a busy few weeks with competitions. Most notably, they won their last competition in Becker on the 22nd, and they'll compete again in Becker on the 4th. The robotics team kicked off their training season two weeks ago with a registration event. As of right now, we're just under two 10 new students. Um, this Saturday, we host one of our biggest events of the year called Jump Start at St. Cloud State. Um, there will be around 50 classes and roundts throughout the day presented by both students and mentors in the robotics community. A very fun day. Um, archery is kicking off their season today
021with practices and we'll have the opportunity to sign up for more practices in the coming weeks. Drama put on a wonderful show a few weeks ago with MMA Mia. Shout out to Connor and Colin who are some leads. Um, yearbook has transitioned to working on their winter activity pages after fall deadlines. NHS has kicked off their Christmas food shop and toy drives and are preparing for the next flood drive in January. Student council has dress up days being planned right now for the holiday season. as well as decorating hallways. Um they're working on getting a date set for that. They also have set a date for a movie night on the 12th of December. I'm not quite sure what that movie is going to be. Um and then DECA is still working hard to prepare
022the Deck of the Halls event coming up on December 17th. Are there any questions? I do have one other comment. >> No. >> Wrestling. >> Give it up. >> Yeah, I didn't have that one. So if you can share >> Friday against Foley. >> Okay. currently ran six, I think. >> Okay. Um, so this is the the less fun comment to make. As student body reps, our jobs are made pretty easy here in Becker. I know years before I came on, there were some challenges, but right now it's a lot of short meetings and we read our reports and that's about it. Um, with this mold issue though, I've been kind of it's been on my mind just do I comment, do I not comment? So, the perspective that I guess I'm able to provide
023and that won may be able to comment on um is I due to I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it purely because of the fact that I've been in the school right now. I'm not in the school, but I've been in the school for three years. Um and never have I seen issues of people getting sick more than usual. Flu season is flu season and it's terrible and it lasts too long. But it's hard for me to wrap my mind around um people getting sick because of mold because I it's I don't know. I don't feel it. My classmates don't feel it. And it's the same thing the nose bleeds. The kids that have nosebleleeds will always have nosebleleeds and they're terrible in the winter. Um I don't know. But I don't
024I don't see that coming from the mold. So again, student perspective. That's why we're here. That's why we sit on this board. So that is what I have to provide to them. >> Yeah, I think I I can agree with that. Thank you. I would love to give a shout out to the play. That was probably the most enjoyable high school play I've been to. I mean, it was it was fun from the start to the end. It was very fun. Good good singing, good musical. It was it was a well done play. It was a lot of fun. All right. Thank you. Any more questions or discussion? >> I just want to thank you for for providing a student perspective. My daughter also lives here. She also gets most bleeds in the winter time
025and it's from extreme dry temperatures and she's prone to that and it's strictly because it's dry and it's miserable sometimes in the winter. So, thank you. >> Yeah. >> All right. Thank you. Um, moving on to item 2B, superintendent report. Yeah, >> we have the MSBA conference coming up on January 15th and 16th. Everyone's registered for the free conference. Um and uh one of the things that's different this year is the awards ceremony that takes place has taken place on Thursday in the middle of the day has been moved to Wednesday along with the uh networking social on Wednesday night uh which will open up more times and more slots for breakout sessions and then they're going to serve food on site uh according to what they've been telling us. So, um, so we'll have
026have that option there and we can stay on site and get get more more opportunities for the breakouts with that. So, sounds like a good positive move. Uh, our January meeting is lower on the agenda as well, but I recommend doing uh January 5th as our January meeting as the first Monday in in January. That would be our organizational meeting. uh you can let me or uh chair jerk know if uh if you're interested in switching committees or if you want to keep them the same or whatever any of those types of things so we can kind of plan pre-plan for some of that um makes the meeting go a little smoother and quicker but um we won't have negotiations I don't think this this year so that's you can stay on that committee if
027you want uh the legislative session begins on February 17th and ends on May 18th of 2026 uh the next budget forecast will be out in February, while it's not a budget year itself, uh the forecast will be important to how the state proceeds with some of the mandates. One month from today, we'll start with the paid family leave uh stuff, it's been on the news. It's going to continue to be on the news and um we're working working through that. We've got a mandatory notice that goes out to all of our employees that they have to sign off on. And so we've sent that out a couple times and uh we're working on making sure to get everyone's back for that. And then payroll deductions will start happening uh I think in January right away
028on January 10th um from the employees. Every employee will pay their their portion of that. And then uh just a couple things that are not on there. The calendar uh if anyone in the public has feedback um calendar committee will hopefully meet here in December. It will be short notice, but I'll I got I have four different versions of the calendar created. I have a pre-LO day start and a post Labor Day start. And each one of those have a spring break and a non-spring break option. So, um, my guess is the one that's not going to be favorable at all is the after Labor Day start with a spring break because that's a June I think 12th or something like that >> uh ending date. So, but the other ones are are certainly viable
029and we can switch things around as well. But, uh, the calendar I think if we go pre-LO day will look very similar to this year's and so that I guess that would be my pick. doesn't really matter to me as I'm here every day anyway. But um so that that'll be coming out soon. But if anyone has any opinions strongly about before Labor Day, after Labor Day, please please send those to me. I'm open to suggestions and ideas and I'll I will share those with the calendar committee. I also attended the energy transition advisory council uh meeting today in Foley. So that was a very positive meeting and uh I think we'll get some opportunities for some grants and things like that coming from that from the meeting today. So I was glad to to
030attend that. And then I wanted to shout out the musical as well. Uh but we've already gotten a lot of shout out to them. I I also think it was I'm not a great musician or musical mind or anything, but uh unlike what you said the the singing voices of the the actors in the musical were as good as any as I've heard in my I think I've only been to six of them here or whatever because I don't know if we had them during co but um but yeah and in all the all the times it was their voices were really really good. I went home and told my family that I wish we would have went to the Friday one and then I could have went back to the Sunday one, but I
031went to the Sunday afternoon one. So, um, so great job to them and and we're looking for excited for, uh, winter activities. I'll be doing tomorrow night. Shout out to the staff too on that Friday because we had that huge dance competition in the gym at the same time as so they the way they stagger it was just another great job by the staff to do that again. >> Parking lot was full. >> U quick question. So on the paid leave does everybody get the point44% is that across the board or is that staggered by unions? everybody. And actually, we went with a private insurance going through the state and our percentage is 415 for the employer and the employer. So, it's a 83. >> Okay. >> Instead of 88 that the state is charged.
032>> Didn't know that was an option. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other questions for Jeremy? All right. Thank you. Moving on to committee reports. Uh Corey, you have a curriculum committee. >> Sure. >> We actually just met right before this meeting. Uh we talked about a couple different things. Uh one of the things that we talked about is in the consent agenda. It's 3C about the comprehensive achievement and civic readiness report. Our director of curriculum instruction Carla Nolan presented in this summer about some of the tasks, but the couple things that she was not able to is the MCA data. the MC data is available right now. So, we kind of discussed that a little bit and you can see that on there. Uh just kind of talked about where the goal was for
033some of our areas that we were looking at such as the free and reduced lunches and special education students and just kind of where that gap is and what the goal was to try and lower that kind of that achievement gap uh for their peers. um didn't quite meet some of those like some of the things that they talked about or they're close but some of the things that they talked about were just kind of the letters training that now is fully in fact so in fact I mean all of our teachers now are trained in that that are so that should help a little bit some of the new curriculum needs that have come out should also help hopefully continue to work on that closing of the gap but we just know where some
034of our struggling learners are just trying to cut some of those back down. Uh, another thing we talked about that's always important is the AI discussion for our students. Our goal as a teacher or our Becker mission statement is developing self-directed learners to thrive in a changing global community and just how AI affects that and just the different areas of teaching, implementing usage of it, and then preparing them for what life uh would be like after school and some of the things that are going on. So, good conversations. Right. >> Any questions for Corey? >> Perfect. Thank you, >> Pete. And Connie, you have an activities. >> Uh yeah. Uh Connie and I attended the last uh activity council meeting uh last Monday in the uh November 24th. Uh we're hoping to uh talks with
035uh Max Eert. He is the head of the gaming club. We talked a little bit about the last meeting. um something came up so we weren't able to talk to him so we'll be rescheduling that for uh the next meeting but uh we did have uh it's Tina and Ker Herz >> I knew I was going to get that wrong um uh K came in and talked a little bit about our uh the culinary program that we have here in Becker and we um really got to dive in and and see how that works. We we've heard about them going to some places and providing, you know, appetizers and and things. I think Jeremy, you've you've been to um one of the competitions. Um and uh it it was really exciting. She's she's super excited
036about it. Um we got to kind of hear how it started to how it is now. Um kids get excited for it. Um and it's just another program that we can offer at the school for kids to kind of find find their place. And it's a life skill. I'm always a huge fan of, you know, when we can get issued life skills, um, like that. Um, so the color program is open to everything, uh, everybody. Um, and then they have a ProStart, which is kind of the state and regional competition team where they go to different events. They compete. Um, there's usually 10 to 15 kids that um, are involved with that. And we kind of heard about how we kind of stack up right now with the with the heavy eaters. I think the
037last um last time was our first time there and uh we didn't finish last she she said so um she was excited about that but um uh a lot of good things that they can you know uh touch base on Elk River I guess is is one of the the top programs in the state so um they've been sharing information with them um so yeah it's it's great uh kind of some things on the wish list um they're they're always looking for fundraising opportunities knives es freezer space. I know freezer space is always a prime item no matter especially here in Minnesota. Everyone needs more freezer space. Um fridges. Um so they're looking at fundraising opportunities for that. Um so yeah is very interesting. Um you know uh definitely something that we should continue to
038support and and um excited to see that program grow. Talked a little bit about u our trainer this year. We've got a lot of positive feedback uh with the new athletic trainer that we hired. Um um and we also talked about uh athletic fees, you know, making sure that we're staying, you know, in line. It seems like we always talk about that. We're always, you know, trying to stay on on top of that. But we did say every two years we're going to want to review those. And I think currently we're sitting right in the middle in our conference for what we charge for fees. So, um we're good with that. And then uh we did hear about a program that they are looking into. Um it's ETS. It's a it's a system that helps
039manage the wait room and staff the wait room. Uh they're in the process of getting more information about it, but it's um I think it's cost about four $4,000 a month, but there's a trained individual in there that can help show the kids, you know, proper lifting techniques and and strategies. um talk fitness, fitness and training, nutrition, um stuff like that. So, I I know that's in the beginning u phases. Dave said that he was going to get um get some more information on that as as we move forward. So, yeah, busy busy activity meeting, >> right? Any questions for two of them? >> Surprising some of the white rooms that you see in these new buildings, new schools that are being built. So, it's a big it's a big draw and it's a big
040undertaker a lot of districts to see these places. It's amazing >> like college lakes for dance and their school connects to the community center out there and that is like walking in their weight room's like walking into a >> LA fitness. It's like wow >> big push. >> Yeah. the kids want to keep kids on school campuses versus sending them to anyone which is great for the businesses but be nice to keep kids in >> Yep. Well, it's here use it. >> Yep. >> So, makes sense. All right. Thank you. Brings us to item number three, the consent agenda. I'll entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to accept the consent agenda before us. I will second it. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any questions, discussion? All those in
041favor signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed? Motion carries. Brings us to item number four, truth and taxation. Kevin's hot spot of the year right here. >> Here. >> The most riveting. >> Yeah. >> Presentation all year. >> I'm g try to project it. >> Yeah, you can. I'll follow along. >> Fine. >> So, uh what this is is this is the annual truth and taxation that we have for taxes payable next year in 2026. Um does start in September. You know, the guys approved the pre preliminary levy back then. This is now the final presentation and go to the next slide here. Um, so there's two requirements to it. Uh, you know, counties, you guys have probably already received those the post taxes for next year. Um, and and that's what these are
042based upon. Uh and then your public entities have to hold these truth and taxation, cities and the school districts. uh what what it requires is we have to present the current year's budget and then the actual revenues and expenses for the prior year which was 2425 and then we also have to present what the proposed levy amount is and if there's any public comment now people can come up to speak but you can go to the next one so this is our 2425 uh general fund results. So that's that's our main fund that uh has all the salaries, benefits, all the expenses related to the education, also to buildings, grounds, uh and long-term facilities. As you can see, the first line there shows what our total general fund was. Um and there you'll see we
043had a spend down of a variance of a,91. You'll see where most of that comes in is the capital which is the reserve first reserve there. where we got a $2,125,000 spend loan and that was mainly the primary roof for the health the insurance that we got on to hail damage. Uh it's now complete sorry it's now complete. Uh but that's where that major spend received the money uh except for 700,000 and wanted us to be there projects from the insurance we then I hadn't turned in all the invoices staff about that big but we got paid for our long-term facilities maintenance that you'll see up 945,000 And what that's planned for, why we have fund balance there is with the referendum dollars that we have remaining and then we were doing roofing project here
044in high school. Um there was about 900 coming up here to make up the difference. It was not enough. So this was covering the shortfall that we had. And then the other 200,000 was what Rick was talking about earlier that we were able to do the remaining element. Um then you'll get some other restricted amounts. Uh there's American Indian aid that we have. Uh there's a restricted for literacy which really involves three different funding sources. One is the the teacher pay for the read act. Another one is a districtwide um for read and then there was a regular literacy aid uh that is every year that we received revenue. The first two are just a flat amount for one year. It carries over into the next year which will be spent out in the following
045in this year. Uh then we get donations for scholarships and see we spent what we brought in. Uh we still have a fund balance there. The student activities that's all of the um the student activity clubs, if you will call them, that are run within the district. So you know there's every sport, there's drama, there's you know band, it's not just It's all of the student activity and then the sign for building activities. Those are the sitebased monies that when they they bring in fundraisers or certain money then it's restricted to that site and for that new uh we have a sign for Dylan's hope which you know we got donations in when we then spend some of that out u on mental health issues and then the non-spendable fund balance what that is is
046just the inventories and prepaids from the previous year. It restricts it and just says, well, you're spending that in the next year because you already have that set up that it's already spent. So, you can't count it on balance. So, then the bottom line is really the the unassigned fund balance that refers to the policy that the board has set up for that 8%. And the current amount there is 3,575 which equates into about 9.06. So still above that 8%. Um and and as you can see that one did go down. We've projected it to go down. Uh we were better than the projection that we had. We were projecting 900,000 go down. It went down 630. favorable and it was planned to go down. That was again remember the settlements. Uh the first year
047we went up 2324 fund balance went up. We knew it was going to go down 242. Uh any questions on that? Okay. Next one. Now, this one, the first line is just a a global what you just saw for the general fund. And these are all of the other funds. So, the food service fund um went up 25,000. Uh we do plan on still spending that down. We have the middle school new freezers did go in. It just didn't go in until July. So, that is in this year. uh last year's. So, that'll come down. And then primary freezer, we're still planning on spending that too. Uh community service fund. You can see that one didn't uh go up, but as you can if you remember a little bit from that audit from November 13th,
048the the transfer was really clearing out deficit that we had in the general, if you call it the general community. and to give the new director kind of clean slate starting out when she started. And then there were other reserves that were deposits and that includ the preschool and then the early child education the building construction fund that's the money from the referendum and as you can see at the end of June we still had two 2,852,000 that's really the remaining amount for the roofing that's done and it's a two-year project and they did it this last summer was the first summer and then next summer is when it'll get completely done. So that'll be spent and then that amount that was in the general fund from that long-term facilities maintenance that 900,000 month will
049will come out of that fun. uh the debt service fund, that's the principal interest that we pay off on bonds that the school district has. And then the tax levy money that pumps also about 113. So questions on that? Okay, Jeremy, go to the next one. So this is our current year's budget 2526 for the general fund. Uh nothing real earthshattering there. Uh as you can see the long-term facilities maintenance again like I mentioned that's going to go down. That's just the rest of the money that was not enough in the building construction fund. Um but then if you go down to the bottom see the unassigned is roughly revenues equals the expenditures of 57,000 increase. So should be able to maintain that 8% funds. Go to the next one. And then this is just
050the again same setup by total fund. You'll see general fund and variance of million 364 deficit. That's mainly from that capital reserves is where the the food service. Again, those are those uh two freezers yet that we plan on putting in. One is already done for middle school, but still looking at new primary and community service fund has a little bit of a decrease, but pretty much revenue. and the building construction fund. That's where we're spending making the payments on to the contractor at the end of June 30th. will still have some amount left because they won't actually have it done until August which is the next year's be and then the debt service that's whole. Um next slide. So these are our comparisons of our actual general fund revenues from last year 24 25
051versus the current year. As you can see not huge changes between where the revenues are coming from. Uh last year local property tax it's about 19.8 current year 20.1%. Uh state sources not too much of a change 74.8 versus current year 74.6 And then we get some federal and a little bit of other very comparable to uh next slide is the expenditures and same type of thing just where it's spent which where our money was spent last year 24 25 compared to this year's budget and you can see real comparable. Again, uh the majority of our our spending was on the instruction 62% last year, projected 64% this year. Our admin and district supports the same 7%. Same with the maintenance 13 versus 14%. And then student support services 15 versus 14%. So again very
052comparing. Uh next slide. So where does most of our revenues come from? From that last slide from the revenues you saw it was mostly coming from the state and where how they calculate that amount is the formula amounts that the state sets. You know they give you a dollar amount times number of students gives us our state revenue. not too tough of a formula, but it's really how many students you have, and you still got to try to project how many you're going to have next year. Uh this this is the amounts that the state is setting. As you can see, last year in 2425 was 7,281. For the current year, it's 7,481. So, it went up $200 per student. These are our October 1st uh student counts. And and you can see we we
053kind of leveled out. We were high right before COVID hit. You know, we were almost up to 3,000 students. Um during COVID, as most school districts did, we actually didn't lose as many as a lot of them did, but we did go down in students. And then we've been hanging right around that 2,850 mark for the past five years. Next formula, the next slide. So again, as I stated, the legislature sets that formula in that dollar amount per student to determine that amount that we can levy and and that revenue that the state sets. They also set levy limits of the amounts that you can put out for a a levy tax levy to the residents. uh Minnesota Department of Ed calculates those limits um based on those formulas and then again you do the
054proposed levy adoption in September and then the only thing that they say is the final levy cannot exceed that. That's why we did the maximum levy back in September. And then tonight is the night that you approve the filing property. Go to the next slide here. And this is actually uh shows last year's 24 pay 25. So our levy total last year was 12,451 581. The proposed for this year is $1,2447 or $3,62 decrease or 003% decrease actually. So pretty level, not the same, not big channel. So like if you looked at your pro Polo's property tax statement, so again, you may see a increase in total, but what you got to look at is the school district and and some uh residents might have increases in their school taxes also, but then others could
055possibly have the same small week and some of that is also based on property val. But if they went up, they should have not gone up that much. If they did, you'll then you get to look at your county portion or your city portion or town ownership if you live not in city limits. And then you got to add all three of those together to get what your total recent property tax. Um some of the details for the general fund changes. Uh the general fund had a $78,10 increase. Uh most of that was from the operating referendum which is result of the inflationary increase. Um but our building lease levy decreased by 42,000 and it was because of less building costs through the special co-op. And then there's 10 other categories that decreased by 45
056or 63 and those were due mainly investments. So the overall of all three of those it's a $78,000 increase for the general. Then in the community ed you have a decrease of 21,634 and the community ed levy portion of that community ed total same the prior year. early childhood decreased 17 and the other there's about three other community levies within that total community they decreased right through child so overall that fund has a 218 and then the last fund is the debt service uh that was an overall decrease of 59,978 uh the majority of that is from what they call a debt excess levy. And by statute, we have to levy 105% of our principal and interest on our debt, our bonds. But we don't have a 5% delinquency rate. So what happens is that
057fund balance in that fund builds. So then the state has a state law that they don't let you keep that in the fun. else they they limit it. So then what they do is they give a negative adjustment to your 105% the next year. So they decrease it. That's why there's a decrease. Um then there was few there's a couple other small debt service buddies that those decrease by. So the total of all those three that I just went through was at 3,600. Again, how how is an individual's property tax determined? Well, first of all, the county assessor determines market value for J parcels. Again, the stat legislature sets those formulas for tax capacities on different types of properties and set different rates. uh then goes to the county auditors uh and then they'll calculate
058the amount of the tax for each of the properties for the school district. Next, oh can you contact for call regarding the property value? Don't call me son. >> I don't have anything to do with that. And in fact, you know, they have a a uh meeting in May if you go to them about valuation. that's being updated. Other than that, uh the questions pretty, you know, level small increase. That's why I expect nobody will be able to come up here tonight and say, "Oh, your taxes are going crazy." >> Quick question. When did you since let's be real, our money is so much tied to students. How far out do we project? population. I mean, you look at like early childhood that was a decrease. I'm assume there's less kids in it. >> Is
059there a population student population, you know? >> Well, no. So, some of >> some of these so they're when you when you send it to all the information to the state and they do the calculation. Okay. There's two parts to it. The first part is you got to estimate for the next year. So, we send in those estimates to them. they do the calculation then there's what's called also adjustments to it then so then it's the previous year's estimates and if you're over or under then they'll they'll adjust those so if you were under what your estimates were they'll give you a negative adjustment so it'll lower it because you weren't right on and if you were over your estimate then they'll add to it. So, we are pretty close. >> Yeah, >> because we
060didn't last year's budget that went after I did the audit last year, I estimated 2,85 uh current students and it came out to 200 2800 2,85.47. So I'm like that's never happened in my 30 years and I got that close by. >> So how long how far out do you project from them? You go like >> I go about three years out that >> see where we're going or datas or houses and see where we're going. And you also look at you know you got certain grades >> that are higher or lower. Um, so like when you graduate out a bigger class, >> well, it means less revenue because also the seven through 12 >> is a higher weight. >> Um, then, you know, you could have 200 going out as seniors, but only have
061200 coming in. It's not the same revenue because of that extra 20% that you're getting for those high school students. So yeah, you know, I take a lot about three where we're at. Good question. Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you, Kevin. >> Thanks. >> All right. I entertain a motion to accept >> that motion to accept the April 2, 2026. >> I'll second. >> Have a motion and a second. Do we have any further questions or discussions? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. All opposed. Motion carries. Brings us item number five, January organizational board meeting. Um Jeremy, you want to speak to that real quick? >> Yeah, this first uh Monday in January, we'll have a full board hopefully on that day. I haven't had any uh petitions or
062anything like that in the time period. So on board and she'll go through some uh base training like all of you did prior to that. And then um a meeting with her day I think it's December 19th we're meeting um and just going over some orientation type of stuff. Yeah, January 5th at 6:30 and we'll have some suggested dates as well if you could come on whatever day we set. Um, knowing the medium restriction dates and if you have dates that we need to move on to a different Monday or something, that would be great to know, too. What he means is have your calendar up to date when we >> best you can entertain a motion number five. >> I'll make a motion to accept the organization meeting is January 5th. >> I can
063second that. >> Have a motion and a second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Brings us to item number six. meeting is secured. Thank you all for coming. Wilson and uh Harley uh the student event happened.