Organizational Meeting of the School Board

August 19, 2025

The organizational meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.

School Board members present: Chair Shannon Andreson, Treasurer Rachel Hartland, Director Brooke Roper, Vice Chair Jason Ross, Director Jen Westmoreland, and Director Zhiming Zhao.

School Board members absent: Clerk Kaj Thompson.

Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed.

Staff members absent: None.

Approval of Agenda

Ross moved, Westmoreland seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Carried.

Designation of Official Newspaper

Westmoreland moved, Roper seconded that The Board designates the Sun Sailor/Sun Post publications as the official newspaper of the Hopkins Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year. Carried.

Appointment of Legal Firm(s)

Legal services for Hopkins Public Schools are provided through Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney — the rates are $265/hour for the managing attorney, $265/hour for senior attorneys, $225/hour for associate attorneys, and $160/hour for legal assistants.

Westmoreland moved, and 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 2025-26 school year, dependent upon the services required. Carried. Westmoreland moved, Hartland seconded; that the Board allow District Administration the discretion for the 2025-26 school year, to seek other legal counsel and/or utilize a licensed attorney when there is a need to acquire special expertise. Carried.

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

The Board discussed the historical context of board compensation. Hartland moved, Westmoreland seconded; that the Board compensation and stipend for the Board Chair be increased by 2% for 2025-26 school year. Those voting in favor thereof: Hartland, Roper, Ross, Westmoreland. Those opposed: Zhao. Carried.

Hartland moved, Westmoreland seconded; 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. Carried.