Official School Board Minutes

Regular Meeting of the School Board
April 5, 2022

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in person on Tuesday April 5, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

School Board members present: Treasurer Steve Adams, Vice Chair Andreson Chair Jennifer Bouchard, Director Rachel Hartland, Director Jason Ross, Director Tanya Khan and Clerk Katie Pederson. School Board members absent: None.

Student Board reps present: Grace Reilly (10), Oscar Wolfe (11), Imani Kerre-Mongi (12). Student Board reps absent: None.

Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. Staff members absent: None.

Open Agenda

Bouchard explained that Open Agenda is facilitated through a designated voicemail box for recorded messages to be played at the meeting.

Hopkins Scholar Lyla, addressed the board with comments on the Resolution Supporting Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Scholars.

Reports

Scholar Board Representative

Reilly, Wolfe & Kerre-Mingi, paid respects in the loss of a fellow scholar, the importance of mental health resources and shared updates on term four and new clubs.

Superintendent

Mhiripiri-Reed highlighted spring break, honored Hopkins Alumni Paige Bueckers and thanked the Athletic Department.

Approval of Agenda 

Andreson moved, Adams seconded; to approve the agenda as presented. Carried.

Consent Calendar 

Pederson moved, Ross seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on March 15, 2022; B) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; C) Policies in Second Read [553]; D) Proposed Board Meeting Dates — 2022-2023 school year.

Treasurer’s Report 

Treasurer Adams highlighted expenses of interest. Adams moved, Pederson seconded; to approve financial disbursements in the amount of $5,245,517.17 for the period of March 9, 2022 through March 28, 2022. Carried.

Policies in First Read

203.5: School Board Meeting Agenda

Andreson and Bouchard provided a summary and context from the discussion on the above policy from the 5:00 p.m. Workshop scheduled before this regular meeting. Changes of note include providing tentative agendas to Board Members 15 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting, agendas will be made available to the public 5 business days prior to the scheduled meeting and any changes will be provided to Board Members a minimum of 2 days prior to the scheduled meeting.

Andreson moved, Adams seconded; that the Board approves the above policy in First Read; further, the Board directs the Administration to prepare the policies (with suggested revisions) for approval in Second Reading at the next meeting (as part of Consent). Carried.

Resolution Supporting Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Scholars

Chair Bouchard introduced the presented resolution:

Whereas, the Hopkins School Board values our transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive scholars;

Whereas, as school board members, we are entrusted to prepare young people with better futures through an equitable education, including an understanding of and respect for gender diversity;

Whereas, we acknowledge there is a coordinated, nationwide attempt to restrict the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth;

Whereas, we are committed to ensuring transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth do not experience trauma and harm;

Whereas, we are committed to creating environments in Hopkins Schools for our transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive scholars to show up as their full selves, experience safety, and thrive;

Whereas, transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth are protected from discrimination by the MN Human Rights Act;

Whereas, to quote one of our fifth grade Hopkins scholars, we say to our transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive scholars that “you are loved” and “it’s ok for you to be who you are”;

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Hopkins School Board as follows:

That we commit to practices within the Hopkins School District that protect and affirm our transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive scholars, including the full implementation of our Gender Inclusion Policy, and the review of all Hopkins Schools policies to be gender expansive and inclusive; and

That we support Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and Queer Straight Alliances (QSAs) in our schools; and

That we support ongoing professional development for district staff on gender-affirming practices, including the creation of a staff guide as recommended by our scholars; and

That we support updating our curricula to be gender expansive and affirming, paying special attention to health and wellness and social studies classes as recommended by our scholars; and

That we support hiring and retaining transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive employees so our youth have visible role models and representation; and

That we will ensure there are multiple gender inclusive bathrooms in all schools and district buildings and that they are in locations that are accessible and comfortable for scholars; and

That we will audit our systems to remove solely binary language from all aspects and change forms and school documents to use gender inclusive language; and

That we will require new technologies, apps, and programs use gender inclusive language before buying subscriptions or making purchases; and

That we call on elected and appointed officials at all levels of government in the State of Minnesota to denounce and reject attempts to limit the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth; and

That we call on elected and appointed officials at all levels of government in the State of Minnesota to create policies and enact practices that protect the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive youth, and create the conditions for them to thrive.

Andreson moved, Pederson seconded; that the Board approve the presented Resolution Supporting Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Expansive Scholars. Those voting in favor thereof: Director Hartland, Director Pederson, Director Adams, Chair Bouchard, Director Khan, and Director Ross. Those unable to vote: None. Carried.

Board Member Reports

Board members reported on recent educational activities/events in which they have participated. 

Public Comment — Items Not on Agenda

Bouchard noted that no public comments were presented for items not on the agenda. Andreson moved, Adams seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m. Carried.

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Katie Pederson, School Board Clerk