Official School Board Minutes
Regular Meeting of the School Board
May 24, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in person on Tuesday May 24, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
School Board members present: Treasurer Steve Adams, Chair Jennifer Bouchard, Director Jason Ross, Director Tanya Khan and Clerk Katie Pederson. School Board members absent: Director Rachel Hartland.
Student Board reps present: Oscar Wolfe (11). Student Board reps absent: None.
Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. Staff members absent: None.
Open Agenda
Bouchard noted that no open agenda comments were presented.
Reports
Scholar Board Report
Wolfe spoke about end of the year events and invited students to join the 2022-23 student board reps.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent Mhiripiri-Reed proposed a moment of silence to recognize and honor the tragedies that took place in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX. She went on to highlight district events.
Approval of Agenda
Pederson moved; Andreson seconded; to approve the agenda as presented. Carried.
Consent Calendar
Vice Chair Andreson notified the Board of a minor change to consent item C prior to approval. Adams moved; Andreson seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on May 10, 2022; B) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; C) Policies in Second Read [956, Racial Equity Policy & Resolution for Temporary Modification of Graduation Requirements Board of Education Resolution]; D) Business Services Enabling Resolution; E) Title 1 Reauthorization; F) Community Education — Tenant Lease Summary; G) Alice Smith Elementary School Parking Lot Improvements; H) Eisenhower Elementary & Community Center - 2022 Chiller Replacement; I) Tentative Agreement Hopkins Clerical Association (HCA); J) Tentative Agreement District Director and Manager Employees. Carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Adams highlighted expenses of interest. Adams moved; Khan seconded; to approve financial disbursements in the amount of $2,442,289.19 for the period of May 4, 2022 through May 17, 2022. Carried.
Community Education Program Report
Alex Fisher, Director of Community Education and Engagement and Sara Chovan, Assistant Director of Early Learning lead Board members through a series of updates for Hopkins’ Community Education Programs. Fisher began by introducing the work that the department underwent with Sherry Essen, a consulting agency. He went on to note that the 2022-23 projected budget is expected to increase due to department and program changes.
Chovan shared the successful implementation of One Hopkins Preschool. Community Ed is also adopting the district’s wellness focus by partnering with Relate Counseling Center and St. David’s Center. Fisher closed with updates on district adult programs and facilities use increases. Board members shared gratitude and notes on the work of Director Fisher and his team.
Director Tanya Khan exited the meeting following the Community Education presentation and was absent for the remainder of the meeting.
Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan (LTFM) Updates
Superintendent Mhiripiri-Reed and Director Chapinduka framed the discussion around the required annual LTFM update for the district. Chapinduka along with Kevin Neuman, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, Shelby McQuay, Senior Municipal Advisor & Managing Director from Ehlers, and Jake Berg, Senior Program Executive from SiteLogIQ (the District’s construction management consultant) presented the updated plan.
Berg began by reviewing the 10-year plan and noted that throughout the past six months, SiteLogIQ engineers were onsite analyzing district infrastructure and compiled a system report card to assist the district in facility management. Through this assessment, new items were identified, prioritized and placed into the plan. The estimated project cost for FY 2023/2024 is $32,756,200.00. Plan details broken down by building and LTFM category were also provided.
McQuay continued by explaining that with the integration of SiteLogIQ’s estimates, Ehlers determined that the preliminary debt plan for payable 2023 will remain relatively tax neutral over prior years with expenditures increasing to approximately $177 million for FY 2023 - FY 2032. Constituents have seen a significant increase in assessed values which will carry over into tax bases for payable 2023. She closed by noting that although interest rates are increasing due to increased expenditures, Hopkins remains below average on tax-exempt debt.
Chapinduka clarified that if Hopkins decides to modify or alter facilities for the upcoming grade transitions, it will require a new request of funding from taxpayers which will be in addition to the presented LTFM.
Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget Presentation
Chapinduka highlighted details presented previously to the Board, as well as minor updates to the final presentation for approval. He presented a fiscally balanced budget with expenditures and revenue at $113,042,523. This is a mild increase from the $111,838,793 presented on April 19, 2022.
-
District-Wide Fund Revenue
The district’s composite fund revenue total is $163,957,781 broken down into the following categories:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food Services and Community Education remain unchanged from April:
-
Food Services: Fund revenue is $4,126,378 with expenditures of $4,113,384 for a surplus of $12,994.
-
Community Education: Fund revenue is $9,360,254 with expenditures of $8,434,795 for a surplus of $925,459.
Chapinduka reminded Board members that various considerations such as ESSER funding, flat projected student enrollment, legislative funding and inflation will be assessed throughout the fiscal year 2023.
Adams moved; Ross seconded; that the Board adopts the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget. 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; Pederson seconded; to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m. Carried.
___________________________________
Katie Pederson, School Board Clerk