001Order the meeting of Independent School District 695 J Minnesota. Ma'am, can you roll call? >> Director Karate Simon >> here. >> Director Lappy >> here. >> Director Raha >> here. >> Director Randa Solder here. Director Rice >> here. Chair Casey >> here. Uh item two, approving the agenda as presented. A motion by director Raha >> by director Randa Solder just under reports I'd like to put Travis on there and he would be like uh A1 >> any discussion hearing none all those in favor signify by saying I motion carries Uh, anybody here for public comment? >> See anybody? >> Moving on to approving the consent agenda because I don't see any guests or visitors either. The consent agenda consists of minutes of May the first night 20.6 regular meeting. Uh, I want to make a
002note. I did vote no on the consent agenda last time. Uh, accept Blaze Credit Union teacher grant in the amount of $2,500. The sponsorship agreement with Security State Bank for the new scoreboard at $1,000 annually for a five-year commitment beginning in 2026. Approve the sponsorship agreement with the city of Chisum for the new scoreboard at 10,000 annually for a 5-year commitment beginning in 2026. Move the sponsorship agreement with Hannah Aldrich Aldrich Real Estate for the new scoreboard at 2500 annually for a 5-year commitment beginning in 2026. Finally, approved the career exploration program funded by ther in the amount of $649.50. and this is $288.50 for the transportation and $361 for subs to attend the transitions expo on April 21st, 2026 at the Northland Learning Center. And I get a motion. >> I'll make a motion
003support. >> Motion by director Simon, supported by director Lappy. Any discussion? Tammy, we did get the change on the minutes consent agenda. I want to know >> and the triple. It should be the Ir. >> They change so much just don't. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion carries. Item six, reports. Mr. Vaky. >> Hello everyone. Hello. Um, so couple things. Um, first of all, your consent agenda was all me. Um, the grant for Blaze Credit Union, um, is one I wrote, which I was very happy and surprised to to get that. That is for new appliances in the transitions room. Um, so we'll be working on that. And then the transitions expo is uh something put on by the NLC in Virginia
004and and my transitions class is going to that. So that's also funded for subs and transportation and all that stuff which is a good thing. Um in addition to that, I just wanted to talk through a couple things with you. Um I'll save the co-op for last. Um we did and I don't I apologize. I don't think I sent it to the schoolboard members. Maybe I did. We did a mascot voting um with the district and I I don't know that I included you guys and I apologize for that, but I sent it to all staff and um at the end of the day um this is the mascot that was the most popular. Um it's similar similar to the one we used to have. >> Uh the one we used to have was the
005street was sideways um when I was in school anyway. Um but uh yeah, so I will be working on that. >> How many votes did we get? >> Um good question. So we had 188 total responses which is pretty good. Um 44% voted for Mr. Blue streak. Um 30% voted for the same type of design except it had a white um white streak down the middle. And then um 20% voted for Mr. Blue streak, which was um something I found that another school had invented. It was kind of like a It's kind of like a Popeye, the Sailor Man, if you remember that. Um they call it Mr. Blue streak. Um cuz we are not the only chism blue streaks in the United States in case you didn't know that. Um so yeah. So I
006mean I think that's cool. I've had um multiple kids tell me that they would be more than happy to >> wear it. Nice. >> And be our mascot. Um, I think it'll be really cool to have that in our new space, especially with the kids a lot closer than being upstairs um, now. So, anyway, just wanted to share that with you. Um, thought that was a very cool thing and um, great, you know, great response which is also a good thing. Any questions on that? Okay, last thing that is on your agenda for me is the uh emergency co-op um with Northwoods for baseball. So, you're voting tonight to approve a a co-op um between Chisum and Northwoods for baseball. The reason um for the co-op is that um Northwoods did not have enough kids
007to field the team. And we had nine boys register in grades 9 through 12. And so nine is is a number that you cannot run a team with. And so it was no team or um work with Northwoods and see if we can come up with with a a co-op that makes sense for us. Um the way a co-op works um which we are co-ops with Tib and and other things um a co-op is approved by the school board at both schools goes to the high school league um and then it's a standing agreement until we dissolve it. So in the event that we need to continue it for another year or two years whatever it might take to rebuild programs it it doesn't stop at the end of the season. Um and so I
008just wanted to get that in front of you. Um give you the the data that I have right now. We have five Northwoods um boys grades 9 through 12 and three Northwoods boys grades seven and eight that are going to um that are signed up and ready to begin. So I think it's a win-win for both schools. Um it certainly helps us. We are the host. Everything will happen in Chisum. We'll follow our schedule. All the games will be played. Our home games will all be played in Chisum. Um there are some logistical things that the AD uh Mr. Jerick and I are working through and we're going to meet um at the conference this week to talk through and then um at some point Superintendent Perkovich will have uh reach out to Superintendent Reggie
009for the to talk about cost sharing um for that typically just like in Hibben you know whatever piece of the pie your kids occupy that's typically what your school is charged So, um, so normal rules would apply. Um, the high school league was great gracious enough to say they would grant this for us. Um, even though in a typical year, um, it would require 30-day notice that we were going to do this before season starts. Um, but in our situation, they were willing to to wave that so that we could have a team this year. Um so questions on that that you might have. >> Our coaches are >> Yes. Yes. Um Mr. Penzino is actually who brought it to me in the um in the he was the first one to bring it to
010my attention and then I I called the ad and he was like absolutely you know I got five six seven kids that want to play. So um both coaches for us are aware of it. um they are only Chisum coaches. There's not any Northwest coaches coming um along with it. Um and I shared with them their roster, what will be their roster today and uh they're excited to meet the kids and yeah, so they're both both on board with it. I did meet with parents um over the weekend for Northwoods um just to explain what I could the information I could give them at this point. Um they were all very grateful for the opportunity. Um you know their kids just want there's two seniors I think and they just want to you know be
011able to play. Um so I really think it's it's a it's a good deal. Now that being said that's for this year right? Next year is a redistricting year for the high school league. And so I don't know what our number is going to look like for baseball when they set the number for what class you play in. Um, typically the way a co-op works, you take the host um the full enrollment number from the host school and half of the enrollment number of the co-op. And so when they put us and half of Northwoods together, I don't know if that bumps us to class 2A or not. That's something that we'll have to look at next year. Um and then kind of decide if we want to continue. Um you know, obviously it's going
012to be number dependent. Right now we don't have a choice. We would need that and to continue to play baseball. Um but that's kind of next year will determine where we what uh comp competition level we play in in our section um for the next two years. And they're also redistricting next year which means they wipe the map and they redraw the lines. So section 7 could look very different or region 7 could look very different next year than it looks this year. It just depends on the schools and the enrollments of those schools and what makes the most geographic sense in a way. >> How often do they redistrict? >> Every two years >> for all sports or >> for all sports. So for example like football is different than obviously baseball or basketball.
013football because there's a nineman class um your number can be lower and and you fit in the nineman realm. Well, there's no nineman in basketball, you know, it's just a double AAA. Um so depending on the classes in each sport determines where where you fit in and we're single A and everything across the board. Like I said, this maybe could change, but we'll see what the enrollment numbers look like next year. And then um the last thing I'll mention on the high school league is they changed their formula and how they are going to determine your level. Prior formula was based on MDE numbers that were submitted in October the year prior. next starting next year, what they've decided to do to try to fast track um letting schools know where where they're going to
014land, they've decided to take a two-year average. So, they're going to take the the enrollment from 2425 and the enrollment from 2526, combine those two um and average it out, and that's where we're going to fit in. So, in regard to football, I know we're not talking about football, but in regard to football, I don't know that we would I don't know that we would make the cut for nine men yet. Just because we've been single A last year, we were single A this year. I don't know if our average of those two would bring us below the number for nine math. So, just something to keep in the back of your minds as as we move forward into next year. um what that might look like. So, >> Travis, how many seniors do we
015have this year on base? I think >> two um two seniors. We have a a fair amount of juniors. Well, I want to say four or five juniors and then couple sophomores and a actually one sophomore. Sha Walter is the only sophomore that we have. Then a couple freshman and then couple younger couple younger Simons on the way >> which might get to play a major e don't have you know what's nice about this Javvis and maybe I mean we'll see how it works but there's been a couple quite I don't know how many years been since we'll have a JV team so you don't have a B team you I feel like you kind of lose some of that development if you have to skip over you know that nine time you know you
016know J might play >> and then the varsity would play you know so if you know if it if it works it might be nice to make you you know to support that. So >> yeah, just normal conversation with the Northwoods AD. I mean, I think he's hoping that we we're willing to do this for a couple of years because they're in a rebuild mode, too, >> you know, and so so we'll see. >> Yeah. >> You know, but we have a good number, eight of them coming over this year to it'll be a good uh good deal for us and a good experience. We'll test it out. >> Go back to this. >> Yes. >> Is did you go through like with the cheerleaders too? Isn't it usually cheerleaders who kind of take this
017mask under their wing? And >> um >> potentially. I mean, that's how it used to be. Yes. >> So, >> um I would imagine that we would probably still have that. >> But isn't Marissa is Marissa still in charge of the cheerleaders? I mean, >> they were all able to vote. >> Oh, >> yeah. Make sure you check with her every chance. I think I got a feeling that she's gonna end up with this little mascot on her on her side. And so I would really hate to have her not, you know, just like say here it is. I mean, I would definitely >> Yeah. >> And like I said, there might be some modifications that we make. It's just that's the general. >> Yeah. you know, >> I like they have kids that are
018willing to do it too because I'll help Marissa sometimes that kind of stuff just gets dumped and it's like >> um well, she's actually I'm not going to say it was her idea, but she approached me a couple of times to see if we still had the old and I >> can't tell you it wasn't in the old seat. Yeah, >> yeah, she's well tunnel somewhere. >> Well, awesome. >> Any questions or perhaps any other questions? Travis, I hope you want something out. Maybe try to get one game up there. I'd like to see us be a little more receptive to the co-op and other communities have been receptive to their co-ops. Sure. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Uh >> next on the reports, we have committee reports. However, we we'll jump to
019Darren Langren, our American Indian educator. >> I was asked here to just give you an overview of what we got going on for the American Indian Education Programs. Um, but first I'd just like to say thank you for your employment. Um, despite the money, it's given me tons of opportunity to hone my skills in uh, instruction and it's helped me at home with my children raising working in school. >> So, positive in that. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know, so I'll just jump right in there. Um, so my my position is funded by the Minnesota Department of Education and uh the fed the feds have a hand in it too. Um, and our parent committee agreed on focusing on Minnesota's six areas um that they decided we should focus on. Uh, and within each one of
020those uh, our parent committee decided on a different ideas. The first one is to support post-secary preparation for American Indian pupils. Uh we decided to have a one-on-one interview model to engage students and get them interested in careers by using that's a simple survey uh my nextmove.org. Um which I've now become aware of some better surveys we can do. And I found out that the students aren't very responsive to the survey and we even have to go to them to finish the surveys. Um once that is done, we want to develop patent for them to reach out to businesses, colleges that specialize in things like that. Get them out to the job sites. Um with that being said, we haven't done that yet because to finish the interviews. So this will be activity towards the
021end of the school. Uh for the kids getting ready to graduate, I'd like to establish um or I'm working on right now a scholarship American Indian scholarship database. A lot of the students don't know there's a lot of scholarships and special ways they can go to college without paying a dime and maybe even getting extra money. So, we're going to do a lot of surveys within each of these areas at the end of the school year because the state of Minnesota wants to see data. Um, second area, academic achievement of pupils. Um, the parent committee thought that there was a lot of attendance issues. So I uh reached out to the transportation director at the time and got uh the training to utilize the vehicles and we took the idea from the Minnesota Department of
022Education Indian educators. They suggested that uh getting them to school is the first step uh improving their grades and sometimes you have to get out there and just wrestle them out of the their their house. Um Native American people are a little shy. um and if you're late, you don't want to come. So, we want to make that available to them um and allocate some of these grant funds back into the transportation department. Seems fair, right? Um we're also doing um I I started doing a missing work monitoring system with basic just every week shoot them an email and tell them what they're missing. Um, from there we I got more integrated into the multi-ear support system. Uh, and I'm learning that I'm on the MTSS leadership team. So, if you look at the graph,
023it's kind of tiny. I'm sorry for that. Um, but I used the elementary school, the Vaughn, and the high school log where they run the reports, check grades, behavior, attendance, and other special things you can't really see, but um, so this will I'll run a report every two weeks just like they do, and I've got their availability so I don't interrupt their main classes, their study halls, things like that and I'll schedule them week to week following the MTSS guidelines of interventions. Uh that takes up quite a bit of time. Students are identified in level one where the teachers just kind of do their interventions. I'll kind of step in there too except we'll do cultural teachings. So and in each each intervention I try to incorporate uh our American Indian culture. little hard, you
024know, with math and things like that, but uh we're working on it. The uh goal area three, cultural relevant curriculum and heritage resources, parent committee asked me to survey the kids and see where they're at. Unfortunately, the surveys show very little knowledge of each student's American Indian tribe. they know the name maybe um they can't identify very many tribes in Minnesota. So that leads me to uh create some material. Um when I say create, I mean it's already there just organizing it for them, bringing it back. The 11 tribes of Minnesota, which I think everyone should know, every single 11, you know, tribe, the Dakotas and those. So we're going to create content like that and specific to the student. Um, we have Red Lakers, we got Boys, Forers, Redcliffe, uh, and some others that
025are out there. So, that's one of the main goals. Um, uh, we wanted to engage the parents to see what they wanted their students to learn with their American Indian history. And we've gotten very little response. So, we're I'm going to have to work on that. Send more surveys. And all this stuff is optional. Some people that have American Indian ancestry don't practice that way in that social. So we always make that option. Um and the surveys are going to be the ones that uh tell us if it's working or not for the Minnesota data. Um goal area four positive self-image and cultural immersion. This has probably been the funnest well no the next one uh projects we've worked on but we're we're working with the art department to create signage um and Lisa brought
026up we can even create some more permanent signage uh utilizing maybe the metal signage uh laser art plasma cutting things make it look really professional instead of just throwing up a poster on the wall but we want to create these uh materials so the Native American students and even other students can see uh what the original people or land that they're still here. Give them a look on it. Um we started using the hand drums and for the elementary school for lunchtime, you know, they do their their clap, but we used the drum instead for a little while and the kids love that. We would pick one student that was behaving, you know, or maybe someone that's quiet sitting by themselves >> and they would uh practice that. Uh we have uh I had a
027billboard right down by the lunchroom in the elementary school. So all the students could come by and they could see a different tribe. There's more than 500 tribes in the United States. So there's tons of knowledge to spread there. And we also have utilizing the TVs through it. Uh the same thing, the weekly tribe that will be posted up there. Um, we're going to do the self-image survey after the school year is done and see if they've seen them and how it's affected. Uh, and some of these goal areas kind of tie into each other. So, number five is intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff. And that was really um the biggest event that's coming up will be honor the students pawa over at the discovery center. We have couple school districts that are
028all pitching in. So hopefully it's or it should be very big uh advertised and well visited. Um they also the we did have the initial abate club in the works um but it has to be uh rescheduled due to all this other work that uh I started doing. Uh we don't want to interrupt any of the class core curriculums. So, we're looking at after school activities, uh, scheduling buses because sometimes transportation is a problem. Um, I did create a online Google booking module that allows teachers to look at my availability and request that I come into the classroom to do mini lessons. Um, specifically with the elementary, I created learning trunks with different Native American artifacts and uh, hides and things like that that I could move to the other school. Be a little easier
029now that we're all located here. So, we also had a Native American Heritage Awareness uh little mini museum tour in my classroom at the old school where we set up a whole bunch of artifacts, our cradle boards, the big drum, our seven grandfather teachings, all that stuff that in each class got to come in. Sometimes I wasn't there doing other job duties, but it was open. Everything had descriptions and I put all the images online. So if anyone missed it, I can send you the link and you can do a virtual tour of good pictures. So you can see we did a white fish netting simulation. The kids have to learn about a couple different fish. Almost all of them identified walleye. None of them identified white fish. Um but I actually strung across a
030white fish net in the front and they had to put the fish in the net and learn how the gills get caught, things like that. Um, they learned why we do it. Um, they learned the the old ways of making nets with stinging nettle plants. Um, we would boil them and the stinging nettles would come off and you'd use that fiber to weave nets. >> So, we did Ojiway language scavenger hunt. You probably know the kids like to write six seven all over the sidewalk. So I I drew pictures of animals and they had to do a scavenger hunt and learn the Ojibway name with the animal. See, oh, we did a wild rice simulation, too. Literally set up a canoe and we got some cattail reads, let them dry out cuz they were a
031little sharp when they were green and set them up and the kids got to sit in the canoe, practice water safety. They got to use knocking sticks and pretend like they were ricing in the can. There was pictures of how you parch rice. And I did a little explanation. It was a little hard getting the high schoolers over there, but uh they get to see at least. And so in the future, I'd like to host more of these kind of uh integrate American Indian culture so it's normalized and seen. Oh yeah, that was the last one. I think six is supp uh supplement not supplant and I have no drive to duplicate anything with schools and state of Minnesota hates that because it's just a waste of resources. So anything I do, I usually try
032to go out and talk to any teacher or staff that's in that area before I duplicate what they're doing, ask their input. Yeah, that's my overview. Uh, one thing I wanted to mention is I'm working on finding more American Indian students. There's two different grants that have two different criterias for students to enroll in it. The state of Minnesota allows you to identify as American Indian if you have if you're a descendant of a Native American. You don't have to prove you're from a tribe, but you have to have community ties. That's it. A lot of people don't know that. That's qualifies for the MDE grant. $500 a student. Um I think I found eight that have are descendants of American Indians. So, and more in counting. And for the federal grant, you have to
033be enrolled or your parent can be enrolled or your grandparent can be enrolled. The student doesn't have to be enrolled. So, I found about five of those students. Unfortunately, the federal grant doesn't yield that much money, but it is money. So, that's uh it's hard it's hard to run around and ask if you are a Native American. So, we're finding creative ways And uh is there any >> some of the kids might not even know if their grandparent you know I mean I want to find creative ways to kind of make them question >> I wanted to do like an ancestry for everyone just to find their ancestors but then you come into the problem with >> students who are adopted and things like that and it can be very simple >> so it's almost
034like a optin thing I I don't know maybe after school select >> I think they used to have ancestry as part of this grad standards standards had to do like the one before >> but to me everyone has a trend >> right >> yeah so >> it'd be nice to showcase >> far enough >> it's a good way to kind of >> there are questions for Darren Darren thank you for I'm just going to make suggest the the school down in Duth on the side of the hill Lincoln is that it Lincoln junior high up there they have a um a very large American Indian education and it probably might not hurt to reach out to them and get ideas or some ways that they uh reach out to the kids and connect with them.
035>> Yes, I'd like to do that. My other jobs they usually send me off like transit. I went to study wider transit so y >> I could find time and >> I do like the uh the bringing back of lawn darts. I hope it's the lawn darts with the big darts. >> The lawn darts. Oh, the the dream catcher out there. You throw the spear through it. Yeah, >> we didn't get to do it this year, but we were going to have snow snake. >> Snow snake. >> No, >> it's funny. You You carve a big long snake looking thing. You wait it at the end and you make a trough and they would throw the snake down the trough and see who could make it the farthest. It was made to hone your spear
036throwing skills and things like that, but it's Ojiway comedy because there's no snakes out in the winter. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um we'll jump back up to under reports. Anybody with committee report? Um, also we'll say that Bob and I from the finance construction, we did have a meeting with um with Lisa and Jordan and Luke on Friday. Friday, >> right? >> And going over some of the change orders um and those types of items. So, those will be brought forth soon. Superintendent Purvich, you're up. >> I just want to commend Darren as well. The hands-on activities are really an outstanding way to get culture into our facilities. >> Absolutely. >> They are not specific just for our native kids. It's for all of our kids. So all everybody's able to see and
037experience and learn together. So never lose that passion. That is going very very well. Thank you. >> Um, other things on the agenda, let's see. Just wanted to give you an update. I know that last time we met, we talked briefly about the student um, representative. So, I just wanted to give a followup for that. The application is going live tomorrow um, to get a student rep on to the board. So, just thought I'd bring that to the board and let you guys know that. Um, today, if you were around at all, you saw that we had Bob Dylan on campus. Okay. Not the second time I've used the joke and both times they kind of give me the um so Dr. Bob Dylan is a published author who really talks about active learning and
038designing your learning spaces um to really reinvision what your classroom experience can look like. So today Dr. Dr. Dylan was in talking about kind of simplifying things that are on your walls that not every single ounce of your wall space needs to be covered. That sometimes that's visually overstimulating for kids. Um talked about different ways for pods to work and single vests to work and standing um in your classroom and moving around the spaces. Um, and it spoke really kind of to our PK-12 all the way through. As expected and kind of hoped for, our 712 teachers started asking the question of, "All right, well, are we going to get some stuff to be able to do this, right? Are we going to get new furniture? Are we going to get more screens in our
039classrooms?" Many of these classrooms still have blackboards in them, not even white boards. Um, and so there is some work that does need to be done. There is some money that is sitting in the budgets. Um but that's something that we'll want to keep an eye on over the next couple of years is making sure that we're moving forward at the high school side too. There's some energy around that. But that was our last PD for the year. Um I'll kind of default over here to one of our teachers, but it seemed to be relatively well received. Is there anything you wanted to add to that? >> I think it opened a lot of eyes of what they have in their rooms, what they have at their walls to change things when they come over
040to the new building. Yeah. >> Ideas. Yep. And that it's okay that there's white space on your wall. Like it it you don't have to have every single surface cover. Um and so that was that was interesting. >> Basically what he said too is that the more that you have all that up before the end of the year, the kids don't even realize it doesn't help them learn anymore because they've just it's kind of like >> absorbed. He compared it to like telephone numbers. You used to memorize families numbers and you used to know their numbers. Now you don't even have to know their numbers because you just click the button. So, it's kind of similar to that. He says like you're looking at all those posters over and over and over. Before you know
041it, you don't even know what they say anyway because you just >> I still know. >> They become part of the environment. >> Yeah. together. >> So instead of putting all of your vocabulary up for all of your math for the whole year, put up what you're working on, take it down, have it blank for a couple of days, put up your next level of vocabulary, and it it's going to allow your eyes to kind of gaze up to those places. So just thinking about things just a little bit differently there. Um, on that note of environment, I have looked into the lights in here. We know that they are low. These apparently are a very specific type of light. Um, so we have to change out all of the lights and we are waiting
042on a quote back to see if we can make them any brighter in here. >> Why would they have put that kind of light in here? >> I do not know. >> I mean, don't you you're always told, you know, if you don't have light, you're going to go blind, right? And they're reading. It's a library. >> It is a library. Yes. I understand the dimming effect is culing, but it is a library and we may want it to be a little bit brighter. >> So, that is something we're looking at and we're hoping to see. Um, I did have a couple of community members reach out um because we hadn't been able to post the videos um online from the board meetings. So, they are being watched just so you guys know. Um we
043had some people very very concerned that those weren't there. We explained that it was part of the transition. So, this one is being taped today. I'm sure Pam will have it up and ready to go tomorrow. Um, but in case you're ever wondering, you do have an audience that wants to see what's happening somewhere. Okay. >> Um, over the last week or so, I've taken the opportunity um to meet with each one of our custodians on a onetoone. um called them into my office and had some conversations about what's working, maybe what's not working, preferences for roles as we move from three facilities into one. And it's been very interesting. The trends jumped off the page very very quickly of some of the things that we need to think about doing um to kind of
044improve the working environment, improve the working space, um improve the working expectations. We've had some great conversations about where they want to work, types of equipment they'd like to see brought in, different things like that. So, um, we'll be bringing some of that forward, but I do want to have the opportunity to follow up with our operations lead before I publicly go over what those are. I just want to make sure that I kind of follow up with with our lead before they go to Okay. Um, other things to talk about, we'll talk a little bit about a grant ask later. the bus garage later um the auction later. So, a couple of other things just for me to update you. As you know, the CE building will be coming down. Um but both the
045Hibbing Police Department, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department, and the Chisum Fire Department, all three of them have reached out. Um and I've confirmed with our contractors that is allowable. Once asus abatement is done, they will be using that facility for multiple types of training. So, they'll be doing some search and rescue training in there. they'll be doing >> um some drug dog um training, some different things like that. So, don't be alarmed if you see heavy presence of PD or fire. When we know those dates, I will be sure to let you know. Um but don't be alarmed if you see it. They are going to be using that as a training facility. Um pretty much between the month of uh midappril to mid May is kind of their window that they haven't. We
046did work out a deal with our sheriff's department and our PD that um in honorarium of them coming in to do that then they will also bring in their dogs for drug sweeps um for us at no cost. So that's a benefit to us. >> That is a benefit. It is a benefit. >> They never find >> they don't often find stuff and that's good. That's a positive thing for us. I said, "Why are people disappointed when they don't find anything?" Be happy they don't find anything. >> And most of the dogs now can't some still can, but most of the dogs can't find marijuana because it's a legalized substance. So, they aren't training the dogs >> as as much as they used to. So, we we did ask that they asked they bring in
047the specific ones that can find marijuana as that would be the most common substance we would find if if we had something. So, um and they the I mean, what what else would they detect? >> They can detect um Yeah, narcotics. They can Yeah, they can detect pills. Um they can find firearms. >> Oh, wow. >> These boo. Yeah, these dogs are oddly intelligent. >> Cool. >> And the last piece that I just want to touch on a little bit today, um is the wellness policy. So, our wellness goals, um, the state of Minnesota requires us to do a three-year trienal assessment, which means that every three years, we have to do a pretty indepth, um, review of what our wellness policy looks like and what our practices like as well. Our wellness policy was
048updated last this past June. Um, so the wellness policy actually came out pretty strong. There are a couple areas that we were missing um, but it was actually pretty strong um, because we were using the model policy. the practices is where we have just a little bit of work that needs to get done. And so, as really anybody can probably expect, um, the things that we're seeing the most are related to smart snack policies. Are you guys familiar with smart snacks? Okay. So, smart snacks is the fancy fed words for what is allowable to be eaten, sold, and marketed on campuses. There are certain sodium levels, sugar levels, caffeine levels, and it is very heavily regulated by the federal department. Um, our food, our INAC food, our breakfast and our lunch, they nail it, right?
049They don't have a choice. You cannot purchase the items that don't meet the smart snack requirements. >> So, bland, you could choke on it. >> It is very bland. Yes, I am not going to disagree. Um, the more they regulate it, the less kids seem to eat our hot lunch. And it is not unique to Chisum. It is throughout the country that that happens. So what they are hoping that regulates is our vending machines, our concession stands, our fundraisers, um our classroom parties, things like that. Now, we can't just all of a sudden take every single good tasting item out of the building. That is that's not the answer either. Um, so we did have a committee that kind of met together to talk about some things and some of the goals that they came
050up with were things like we're just going to give people other ideas. We're not going to mandate, but instead of every single time a kid wins a prize, like we always do these penny wars or this war or that war and they win a donut party and a this party and an ice cream party. >> Now maybe it's can they win extra recess time? Can they win? What are some physical activities, some fun things? Can we bring in some ninja courses, some things like that instead of always rewarding them with food? >> Um, we're not going to mandate it. Just giving them ideas to consider is kind of where we're at with that goal. Um, looking at our vending machines, we don't want to just take out everything that's ever been in the vending machines,
051but can we make sure that there are a couple of items that do meet Smart Snacks in there? So if you do have somebody that is on a um health conscious um looking for a healthconscious opportunity that those are available because our vending machines right now don't have those. So just adding a couple of options. Same thing with our concessions leaving our concessions alone for right now. Just adding a couple of options that if they would like to buy something healthy that that healthy options there. It could look like string cheese. It could look like a cup of applesauce. Um different things like that that would be available. So that's the vast majority of of where we're kind of looking with our different wellness policies. Um we do have to review the goals each year.
052So these goals are through this time next spring. Um so right now we're just kind of in that awareness. Our our goals for the next year are let's just have some conversations about it. >> That's really where we're at. And then we'll we might look at okay we might say you have to have two options in your concession that are available. Not you have to take everything away. I don't want anybody to panic. Just how do we make sure that we're getting there? Um, when we're doing all of our fundraisers, like, do we always have to sell cookies or could we sell something else out of the transitions class besides cookies once a month? You know, um, what are some different options? >> God, what are the Girl Scouts going to do? >> I know.
053>> My kids love the Tik Tok cookie sale. >> I know. So, just wanted you to be aware that that's that's something that comes out. >> I think that's going to be an easier transition than you probably even think because I think there's a lot a lot a lot of parents out there raising their kids right now that in mind I know my my >> it's going to be harder on the staff. If I took all the good treats out of the vending machines, >> we might have a staff report that we are not interested in that model. I'm publicly saying that is not happening, right? But we do maybe need to add some other options in there that maybe it would be okay to have a flavored water that isn't full of caffeine that's
054also in the vending machine. >> Something I just had this conversation. >> So that's that's kind of a big thing coming out. So that email you'll see go out, right? Beef jerky, although some beef jerky is not allowable because of the sodium content. >> There's the no sugar. You're supposed to have baked chips, not the regular chips, which again just I don't really like them, but some people do. >> Um, so any questions on any of that stuff? All right, I think that's plenty for to >> you know Darren brought up something about and Travis about our enrollment numbers. Do you have our >> I do have your enrollment numbers. So, your enrollment numbers right now based on FY25, we're down about 10. So, as you've noticed throughout the year, we go up, then we
055go down, then we're even, and it's just always stays within that 10 bubble. As of today, we were at $6.99 as our number for today. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Any questions for the superintendent? >> Moving on. Personnel item A, approve the hire of Richard Baker for job number 306, substitute custodian at a rate of pay of $18 an hour. >> Motion by director Simon. >> Support by Director Rice. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Item B, approve the approve the hire of Autumn Raa. It's not Raha >> for job number 306, substitute custodian at the rate of pay of $18 an hour. >> Motion >> support. >> Motion by director Raha by director Laappy. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in
056favor signify by saying I. >> Oppos. Motion carries. Item C, approve the hire of Allora Landacre for job number 306, substitute custodian at a rate of pay of $18 an hour. >> So super by director Pry Simon support by director Solder. Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carries. Item D, accept the resignation from Tyler Voit as basketball head as boys head basketball coach effective March 23rd, 2026. >> So move by director Lappy. >> Support by director Solder. >> Any discussion? Basketball has been in my life. sound. It's a basket. And to see somebody quit after one year to me, it's disappointing. I wish him the best. I hope we can find somebody that's equal to or better than Mr. Vo. >> Yeah. I And I also I
057didn't get to know Tyler very well. was on the sidelines watching him coach during the home games. Um, I encourage anybody with questions to talk to our activities director, Mr. Vaky, and and the assistant coach, uh, Mr. Rudolph, and and maybe they can provide some other insight to this. >> Any other discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Item E. Approve the posting of a head boys basketball coach for the 2026 2027 basketball season. >> One motion. >> Motion by director Raha. >> Support by director Lappy. Any discussion? I wish Travis was here because I'd like to say that during the hiring process or interview process should make note that they are expected to assist during Saturday basketball. I guess any further discussion hearing none.
058All those in favor signify by saying I >> opposed. Motion carries. Item eight, approve the baseball co-op with Northwoods High School ISD 2142 for the 2026 baseball season. >> Motion by director Solder. Support by Director Ahoff. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. Item B. Approve the lease bio purchase of bus number one as presented. >> motion by director Simon >> support >> by director Rice. Any discussion? >> No. Yeah, I can talk a little bit about this. So, we have two buses coming due on a lease April 15th. Um, so after some discussion with the superintendent, we feel we no longer need a fleet of nine buses. we can go down to eight buses. So, what we'd be doing is returning one of
059the buses and then purchasing the other bus. Um, the lease payment for the two is about 30,000 annually. Um, so this will be a onetime payment of the 41,000 plus the tax. Um, so ultimately it'd be about 10,000 more than what we have budgeted for this year on lease payments, but next year we'd be able to reduce our lease budget by about 40,000 with the other bus that we purchased earlier this year. So longer term, I think it's a good decision for the lead man bus. So it's >> low mileage on it. Yeah, it's got about 20,000 miles, I believe. It's worth about uh 55 to 60,000 right now. Uh but we have, you know, some discount because we've had it on lease for a a few years here. >> I do know that when
060that when we go to the MBA conference, Mr. Kazar does seem to get attracted towards the buses and also those mini buses. and he and I had a brief conversation about I I don't want to call them mini buses, but what passengers or whatever, you know, that's something that we might look into. >> We used to have a mini bus. Where is that mini bus? Don't we have that anymore? >> We used to have a mini bus. It was a small bus. >> Yeah, we did. I know. >> Believe me, I know. got me invading for the smaller buses. >> No, I think you remember that. Did you have to have a class? >> There's a line. >> Yeah, I think you did have to have that. >> I think over 16 or something like
061that. >> Got to have the passenger stand. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. >> The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employers AFL CIO local union number 536 contract for the 20.5 through 2027 seasons. I'll motion motion by director Raha by director signed. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carries. Uh second second reading of item D. Second reading of policy 6.5 responsible use of artificial intelligence. That'sformational. I encourage the board and had our educators read an article MSBA put out on the AI issue. >> Item nine discussion we have bus garage. Um, so as you know, we've been talking about the bus garage and what we should do with
062the future of the bus garage. And right now, I just want to bring really to your attention a couple of different options and a couple of conversations that are happening to make sure everybody's on the same page. So, just to back up and give you a little snippets, we received the bid from Inenza just right around the $3 million mark would be for design, demo, and the construction of a new facility. we weren't really sure that we wanted to go all in at that high level of a of a number. Um, and so we've been exploring some other options. One of which was having some pretty strong conversations with Gary Cvvenic, who is one of our lobbyists that works on behalf of the Chisum Public Schools. And so we went to him early on and
063had some conversations about whether he thought there'd be any pallet at the legislative level to have any funding to support that. And at first he was like, "Nah, I don't know that there's going to be a lot of pallet there this year. There's a lot of things going on." Um, and he came back a month ago and he said, "Well, if the city of Chisum and the school district maybe work together, we might be able to get something in a bonding bill." >> Said, "No promises, but just is there any pallet from from the two entities?" So, I did have a conversation just briefly with the city of Chisum. we were really both immuneable to exploring what that option would look like if there was some bonding bills um or bonding um opportunities available. And
064after we've done our research, what we found is that the cost of putting the two facilities together would be quite high. We're talking in the four to5 million range. Um and that even if we were to get any funding likely from the legislature, it would be relatively low. We're talking less than a half of a million dollars. So the end cost to the school district would likely be higher than doing it on our own even with the $3 million mark that we would probably it cost us more to partner with the city of Chisum and the city of Chisum felt the same way. So we said this is probably not the avenue that we would like to explore. Um so we're still open to it if there's additional funding out there but at a half
065a million dollars we just didn't think that's something we could do. Then I got a call last week um from Gary again that said, "Well, um if you can get me some information on demo and is there another opportunity for a different type of build, what would that look like?" So, I've talked to um Chair Casey and and Mr. Raha here quite frequently about the possibility of instead of building a traditional building like we have, what would it look like to build a pole building like a Morton building, a Butler building, things like that. So Noah and I were a little outside of our scope. Um but we um leaned on Pam a little bit to set us up some meetings and we had some meetings early on last week with um at least a
066couple of bus companies and the first one like Economy Garage for example came in and said we can't even build something of that size. This is well beyond the scope of something we can do. So we started to have some additional conversations. There does look like there's a couple companies that could do a pole building. Um, but that's where it left us with. We need to make some determinations as a board of where which direction we want to go. So, this is we don't want a motion or anything today. But really, what Gary is saying is there might be some money to help with demo. There might be some money to help um as a matching grant. There might be some legislative dollars. Gary's saying his recommendation is to wait on making any determinations on
067the bus garage until the legislative session is over >> so that we know for sure what's available. And then at that point we would have three options. Option one, accept the yenza bid as it was presented and move forward. >> Option two, do nothing or do the tuck pointing option as presented. or option three, go out for an RFP to find out what what the build because they would have to design, demo, and construct. And in the state of Minnesota, as most of you are aware, we can't just call Morton and get a bid based on that dollar amount. You have to do an RFP. They have to give us sealed bids. We have to have a bid opening. Um, so Noah and I basically are coming here today to find out, do you want
068us to proceed with writing an RFP so that that process is heading in that direction? Do you want to wait on opening up any of that until after legislative session? Where would this board like to go as far as next steps? Um, how far ahead do you want us to work without knowing any information? >> Got to wait till legislative session's over. And again, I you know, we don't need the Taj Mahal, but we need an effective building. And I, you know, Mark and I have talked about Morton buildings. You know, you throw it back and forth. I don't know, but a half a million bucks is a half a million bucks. And the city of Chisum, you know, they're having their own difficulties. But I think that we wait and let Sir Vanic and
069Anderson do their job and do some more work cuz you don't know, you know, you just don't know how they have an inn down there that's second to none and I've experienced it >> and they and they they're all known. They're known down there by all the legislators. So, I would wait. That's that's just me. and the session's over in May and you know what are we going to do in a month's are looking into offer after build >> that would be another option there is a facility that's for sale um it certainly isn't big enough to host everything so if we were to purchase that you'd be purchasing with the understanding that you would have to build >> you'd have to add in addition that could cover probably the type three vehicle the tractors,
070the carpenter shop, those types of things if you wanted to go that direction and then um look at building later or leave this bus garage here until we make a determination. That's an option. >> We would also need to know from the city if we can even do that because that's an industrial park only. >> I have spoken with Stephanie Scraba and she that was amable to them. It it met code and what they needed to do. Has anybody tried again with the property down by the lake? >> We did have a few um we had one of the real litterers that showed us that facility um look into it and there was not even a return phone call >> the size building that we need. >> That's um there is storage facilities in there
071now. >> Oh, that's what's in there now. Yep. >> Okay. >> So, that's not what kind of lead time do you know I need to do an RFP? >> This is a little outside of my scope, but from what I've been able to gather, usually we have to post it for x amount of days. Um, it's usually like a month that you post it and then you have so it's probably two months from the day you post it till the t day day you do bid opening. So, if we wait till the session is over, the downside of that is it could be August, September before you're doing bid opening, which means you're not doing anything till the following year. We could go ahead and and get the RFP out there um and just not
072approve a bid. That's an option. Um so, there's couple path. >> Yeah. The thing that I I like to see is I like to see the RFP at least in place. We don't have to put it out, but just so it's ready to go. >> And maybe I said the name we can decide to put it out if we want. At least we'd have some other numbers. >> And yes, an RFP is probably outside of your expertise and Mr. Khazar's expertise, but it may not be outside of Genesis expertise, >> right? We've had just a brief conversation with them, nothing in stone, to ask what that would look like to have them help us with that. Not be project managers, um, not be a construction manager, just kind of give us some consulting guidance. Um,
073they are interested in that. If if that's something you'd like me to find out more fees on, I certainly can look into that. >> Yeah. just just partly because our familiarity with them, they're familiar with the project and the and the property and how much >> Yeah. >> So, we just wanted to bring that to you today just to make sure that everybody's kind of staying in the loop with the communication of where we're at. this one. Next one, >> appraisal of the von Stephen Street route. >> I'm going to defer a little bit to Mr. Kaser. >> Yeah. So, I have reached out to a couple appraisal companies um one out of duth at Salter and they quoted me um 4500 with the 4 to five week time frame. And then I also spoke
074with Cole Appraisal and Consulting out of Evelyn and they quoted me um more in the 6,7500 range with the 8 to 10 week. Uh but we had a lot deeper conversations about the property of the Vaughn and some of the complications that go with it. Um including the the cell phone tower and the lease that's on that property. um the potential annexation that's been discussed and splitting of parcels and the zoning and marketing. Um and with them being a consulting company as well, the 6,000 to 7500 in would include, you know, consulting fees to help us understand, you know, how we should be viewing this property in order to have the best return possible for the district. Um, so just wanted to get a little bit of feedback from the board. Um, if that's a
075direction that we should go with to get some additional help with understanding the what we can do with it. >> I think getting a breakdown from the appraiser of exactly what that 6500 covers, this portion is for the appraisal, this portion is for the consulting. I think having just one broke down so there isn't hidden fees >> you say that's I mean I I would have anticipated it be anywhere around $5,000 it was kind of >> commercial >> but I would I think before we um worry about if like what what you get for it is is it is it anything that's going to benefit us or not and I know Lisa was gonna has >> I do not have an update Okay. >> Yeah. Because if it's something that any monies that we get
076for the bond goes into, you know, or goes back to the state of Minnesota, some sort of school dress, then what do we care? We don't get rid of it, right? Then we just we want to know like what, you know, how we can market it, what we can do with it. But I don't necessarily think we need to spend, you know, $7,500 with the consultant. And it's like it's not if it's but if it can benefit us financially, then then we're going to see a little return on that. >> And would it would it be cheaper? Did they have a fee for just appraisal? just a value of how it sits right now. >> Um I'm I'm guessing it'd be comparable to the 45 to 5,000 okay range. But she also said, you know,
077in order for them to have an effective appraisal, they need to ask these questions and go through that >> anyway to understand. So >> yeah, >> there's a lot that goes into those. >> No, they are. >> And then you get somebody out of >> duth mileage. >> No. And I'm familiar with cola. the only one I would have known of that would do commercial um >> I've dealt with the company in Duth too but >> and I mean there city n >> no it kind of fell on getting our school lawyers or our um can't remember her name right now the lawyer that was familiar with the case and I she talked to her about three weeks ago go and she assured me that she'd look into it and get back to me and
078I haven't heard anything but Jackie said no that seems like a maybe an appropriate timeline like it's not me it's just it's just not rising to the top of her list yet but >> so I will um put that on the list again to kind of circle back this week I just did not have time last week to do it >> I just I just wanted it just be nice for us to have that information because then I think it it it changes how we approach the sale of it you know how much effort we put into it if we you know we're not going see any of the the pro skill we use back in the school. No, >> that's >> and try to find a nice home for it. >> Lost we when
079we eliminate that building from our inventory. But um I I guess I would my opinion is to move forward with the the group out of >> Amalith >> and um that's within your purview to >> sign on. I think appraisal only at this point until we know like Jackie said until we know what we're looking at and letting them know that we would potentially be looking at them for >> the consulting advice. >> Yeah, I concur. >> All right. Uh item 10formational item. I know I think I sent out an email to everybody. Yeah. About u this gentleman is seeking for foreign exchange exchange students and it just so happens that in the s paper today they're >> Greenway or rain as a foreign exchange student from Germany >> and his father what >> went
080to Greenway 30 some years ago actually >> so I just encourage us as the public uh servants just to get that word out see if anybody might be interested in I have no idea if there's money involved or anything like that, but we can get them in contact with this person. Uh, and they would probably be able to answer that those questions. So, >> I just wanted to get that out there. >> I did two of them. There's I did one from Brazil and one from Thailand. It's a wonderful experience. >> So, there's no money involved. >> They bring their own money. They use their own money to >> this great experience. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. My closest >> I did two of them for six months. >> So I didn't do the whole
081school year. I just started six months at a time. >> So you're going to keep calling you calling and texting me like weekly. So I'm sure >> we get one. Joel said it has to be a hockey player. >> He's in Greenway. >> Oh, is that a hockey player? >> Yeah. Oh, you're in green with me. >> Next item is the auction update. I thought you might want to give some nice >> I'm going to give you an update on the auction. So, the auction I don't know if you had a chance to a um bid on any items. I know that one of our teachers lost the item that they were so desperately hoping to find um in their in a bidding war um for a particular item. Um but the auction went very
082very well. Um the last auction that just closed garnered $72,000 for the district. >> Wow. >> What? That's a huge chunk of there was an unbelievable turnout from the community. And for the auctioneers, the the remaining items that are in the building, there's additional trim, there's additional handrails. people want every single piece that's in there. He feels that there's probably $30,000 more dollars um that will be sold. We'll be doing another auction in miday in that building one more time to get everything out of that facility before they go into demo. >> They want everything. Um if you've Well, you can't go in there right now because we're doing asbestous abatement, but if you had the opportunity to walk in there, I think I saw a couple of you and said you've just got to
083go check it out. It looks like a war zone in there. >> They literally cut out every Yeah. >> trophy case, every bookshelf, every piece of trim, the outside grip. >> So, that stuff is still on there. All of the outside tile um is still part of that that exterior that they can't take down. They can't do anything with that until the building would start to come down. And that's where Landware, who's our contractor, will be responsible for trying to salvage it. And if they can, they will. If they can't, they can't. Um, the bricks themselves, they will come down. We're going to do a fundraiser with the bricks. >> So, instead of doing an auction for that, we'll do a fundraiser with that. But huge auction that came through. A lot of work went
084into that, but it was definitely worth it. So, we'll have that one again in May, and then we'll have another one in the van um in mid June to close out the artwork. We still have not found the artwork that has walked away. >> Thanks. >> Thank you for everybody that participated in that. >> That is so good. >> Lastly, um the Elms Foundation um funding uh myself, superintendent, and Mr. I gave a presentation that was well put together by our superintendent in regards to seeking some funding on various items or not so much items, various projects. U one was upgrades into the auditorium seating the lighting panel type thing. also expanding our our industrial arts program and our help me out here Rose >> certified nursing assistant >> cert certified nursing assistant program um
085which is doing very well. So, we made that presentation um express some frustration with with the process, but u hopefully we'll know soon if we're successful in any of our requests. >> Wonderful opportunity to present to them. There's um there's a lot of desire to give back to educational um and community institutions. So, we're hopeful. We're hopeful that, you know, we talked at the beginning a little bit about needing to see some upgrades at the high school and everything that we pitched in this grant is about upgrades at the high school level. So, >> does anybody else have anything to pass on? Okay. Hearing none and a motion to adjurnn by Mr. Rahed by signing. And those in favor signify by saying I.