Regular Meeting of the School Board

May 05, 2026

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Tuesday, May 05, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. 

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

School Board members absent: None.

Student Board reps present: Manuel Wahyu (11) and Hafsa Baazaoui (9).

Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. 

Staff members absent: None.

Open Agenda — Public Comments

Community members Steve S. and Briana D. addressed the Board regarding items that were on the agenda.

Reports

Student Board Representatives: Wahyu and Baazaoui updated the Board on recent events at Hopkins High School. 

Superintendent: Mhiripiri-Reed spoke about events and highlights from the past few weeks.

Approval of Agenda 

Roper moved; Hartland seconded; to approve the agenda as presented. Carried.

Consent Calendar 

Thompson moved to have items F) Bondwood Contract and G) Website Management Services moved to New Business.

Hartland moved; Zhao seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) Approval of Minutes — Special Meeting Conducted on April 20, 2026; B) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on April 21, 2026; C) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; D) M. Thomas Employment Contract; E) Acceptance of District Gifts; H) Ecuador Trip — June 2027.  

Treasurer’s Report 

Hartland moved; Roper seconded; to approve financial disbursements in the amount of $3,219,510.94 for the period of March 16, 2026 through March 31, 2026. Carried. 

Unfinished Business: Language Access Plan

Wilhelm Garbers moved; Roper seconded; to approve the Language Access Plan as presented. Carried.

Transportation Services RFP

Roper moved; Hartland seconded; to approve the Contract with Schmitty & Sons for the 2026-2027 school year. Carried.

Bondwood Contract & Website Management Services

Thompson moved; Roper seconded; to approve the Bondwood Contract and Website Management Services. Carried.

Staffing Resolutions

Hartland moved; Roper seconded, that the Board approves the following:

 The first resolution involves the termination and non-renewal of temporary teacher contracts, which were established to cover specific needs for the 2025-2026 school year.

Those voting in favor thereof: Andreson, Hartland, Hyman, Roper, Thompson, Wilhelm Garbers, and Zhao. Carried.

Hyman moved; Thompson seconded; to waive the reading of the resolution. Carried.

Hartland moved; Zhao seconded, that the Board approves the following:

The second resolution addresses the termination and non-renewal of probationary teacher contracts due to financial constraints, reorganization, declining student enrollment, and potential performance issues.

Those voting in favor thereof: Andreson, Hartland, Hyman, Roper, Thompson, Wilhelm Garbers, and Zhao. Carried.

Unrequested Leave Resolution

Wilhelm Garbers moved; Hyman seconded; to waive the reading of the resolution. Carried.

Wilhelm Garbers moved; Hartland seconded, that the Board approves the following:

The administration is recommending that the School Board adopt a resolution to place certain staff members on unrequested leaves of absence at the end of the 2025-2026 school year due to uncertainties in staffing needs. 

Those voting in favor thereof: Andreson, Hartland, Hyman, Roper, Thompson, Wilhelm Garbers, and Zhao. Carried.

Policies in First Read

Hopkins 852.1 (adopt)

Hopkins 620

Vice Chair Roper and Assistant Superintendent Lightfoot provided background on the presented policies. 

Thompson moved; Roper seconded; that the Board approves the above policies 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. Those voting in favor thereof: Anderson, Roper, Zhao, Hyman, and Thompson. Those voting against: Hartland and Wilhelm Garbers. Carried.

Board Member Reports

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

Incidental Reports: Title I Update

Hartland moved; Wilhelm Garbers seconded; to approve the Title I Update. Carried.

Adjournment

Roper moved; Wilhelm Garbers seconded; to adjourn the meeting at 10:59 p.m. Carried.

 

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Sara Wilhelm Garbers, School Board Clerk