Organizational Meeting of the School Board

August 18, 2026

The organizational meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 

School Board members present: Chair Shannon Andreson, Treasurer Rachel Hartland, Director Johanna Hyman, Vice Chair Brooke Roper, Director Kaj Thompson, and Director Zhiming Zhao

School Board members absent: Clerk Sara Wilhelm Garbers.

Staff members present: Superintendent Michael Thomas. 

Staff members absent: None.

Approval of Agenda

Roper moved; Hartland seconded. Motion to approve the agenda as presented. All voted aye. Carried.

Resolution Designating Depositories for School Funds

Thompson moved; Roper seconded. Motion to approve the proposed depositories for the 2026-27 school year as follows:

The Administration is requesting that the Board approves the proposed depositories for the 2026-27 school year, as follows: 

 

 

Chair Andreson called roll;

Andreson: Aye

Thompson: Aye

Hartland: Aye

Roper: Aye

Zhao: Aye

Hyman: Aye

All voted aye. Motion carried.

Resolution Authorizing Electronic Funds, Transfers and Investments

Roper moved; Hyman seconded. Motion to adopt the proposed resolution below, authorizing the use of electronic fund transfers and investments as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Contracted Director of Business Services (Jessica Olson) and the Controller (Emily Westrum), be authorized to make or cause to be made electronic funds transfers between School District accounts, 

RESOLVED FURTHER, that Contracted Director of Business Services (Jessica Olson) and the Controller (Emily Westrum) , be authorized to open or cause to be opened investment  accounts with designated institutions in consideration of terms, conditions, and covenants  required by such institutions; to endorse or cause to be endorsed on behalf of the District  any drafts, orders, certificates, checks, or other investment instruments in connection with  such accounts; and to make or cause to be made deposits to such accounts by check,  draft, order, or electronic funds transfer; 

RESOLVED FURTHER, that unless superseded, any and all resolutions heretofore  adopted by the Board of Education and certified to depositories designated at the Organizational Meeting of August 18, 2026, governing the operation of this District’s account(s) with them, be and are hereby continued in full force. 

Chair Andreson called roll;

Andreson: Aye

Thompson: Aye

Hartland: Aye

Roper: Aye

Zhao: Aye

Hyman: Aye

All voted aye. Motion carried.

Designation of Official Newspaper

Hartland moved, Roper seconded that The Board designates the Sun Sailor/Sun Post publications as the official newspaper of the Hopkins Public Schools for the 2026-27 school year. All voted aye. Carried.

Appointment of Legal Firm(s) 

Legal services for Hopkins Public Schools are provided through Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney —  the rates are $285/hour for the managing attorney, $270/hour for senior attorneys, $260/hour for associate attorneys, and $170/hour for clerks/paralegals.

Hyman moved, Hartland seconded; that the Board approves utilization of the legal services — as provided through Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney — at hourly rates as noted above for the 2026-27 school year, dependent upon the services required. And that the Board allow District Administration the discretion for the 2026-27 school year, to seek other legal counsel and/or utilize a licensed attorney when there is a need to acquire special expertise. All voted aye. Carried.

Review of School Board Policy 253: Board Member Compensation and Expenses

The Board discussed the historical context of board compensation. Hartland moved, Roper seconded; that the Board compensation and stipend for the Board Chair be increased by 2% for 2026-27 school year. And that term life insurance in the amount of $50,000 for each Board member be continued (total cost of the insurance for the seven Board members is $525.00 annually and $75/person. 

Those voting in favor thereof: Andreson, Hartland, Roper, Hyman, Thompson. Those opposed: Zhao. Motion carried.

Authorization of Memberships 

Zhao moved, Roper seconded; that the Board authorizes continued membership in AMSD and MSBA for the 2026-27 school year. All voted aye. Carried. 

Adjournment

Hartland moved; Roper seconded. Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m. All voted aye. Carried.

 

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Sara Wilhelm Garbers, School Board Clerk