Board Minutes—Regular Meeting 09/20/22

2022-2023
Regular Meeting

Official School Board Minutes

Regular Meeting of the School Board
September 20, 2022

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

School Board members present: Treasurer Steve Adams, Chair Jennifer Westmoreland (Bouchard), Director Rachel Hartland, Director Tanya Khan, Director Jason Ross, and Clerk Katie Pederson. School Board members absent: Vice Chair Shannon Andreson.

Student Board reps present: Oscar Wolfe (12), Isabella McCoy (12), Elif Ozturk (11), Grace Reilly (11).

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

Open Agenda — Public Comments on Agenda Items

Chair Westmoreland (Bouchard) and Board members re-introduced themselves for community information. Ben Karls, and Brianna Bers commented on items pertaining to the agenda.

Reports

Scholar Board Report

McCoy, Ozturk, Wolfe, and Riley, provided details on recent events at Hopkins High School.

Superintendent Report

Mhiripiri-Reed spoke about fun fall events and highlights from the past few weeks.

Approval of Agenda

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

Consent Calendar

Adams moved; Pederson seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on September 6, 2022; B) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; C) Policies in Second Read; D) School Board Goals — 2022-23; E) Tax levy hearing date — Memo; F) Athletics Handbook Update; G) Proposal for Out of State Overnight Travel; H) Resolution for VEBA Trust.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Adams highlighted expenses of interest. Adams moved; Khan seconded; to approve financial disbursements of $1,634,884.26 for the period of August 31, 2022 through September 13, 2022. Carried.

School Opening, 2022-23

Superintendent Mhiripiri-Reed, along with Cabinet and District Leaders, updated the board on the successful opening of our 2022-23 school year. Each of the following individuals shared a brief overview for their respective departments:

Staffing - Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Nik Lightfoot
Learning & Teaching - Director of Innovation, Design & Learning, Ann Ertl & Director of Special Services, Fhonda Contreras
ECFE-PreK - Assistant Director of Early Childhood Programs, Sara Chovan
Kids & Company - Youth Programs Coordinator, Jaleeza Smith-Breedlove
E-6 Principal Rep - Glen Lake Principal, Jeff Radel
Secondary Principal Rep - West Junior High Principal, Dr. Leanne Kampfe
Information Services - Director of Technology & Information Services, John Wetter
Facilities & Custodial - Supervision of Buildings & Grounds, Kevin Neuman
Transportation - Supervisor of Transportation, William Pierce
Nutrition Services - Interim Supervisor of School Nutrition, Andrea Schaak

Input into Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) Platform

The District’s LAC Steering Committee is developing their platform for 2023. In preparation for the 2023 legislative session, LAC Co-Chair Steve Adams and LAC Administrative Assistant Catherine Callahan, facilitated a discussion with Board members to gather input on priorities for their platform.

Proposed Tax Levy

Director of Business Services, Tariro Chapinduka, explained that the proposed preliminary property tax levy PAY23 (FY24) is $58,959,457, a decrease of $744,985 or 1% in comparison to PAY22 (FY23). The Levy system will continuously get updated with more information to reflect the total proposed levy for the district which will be certified by the Board in December.

Chapinduka went on to state that the Board can either certify this proposed property tax levy at a specific dollar amount or at the maximum, thus retaining flexibility if there are subsequent levy changes beyond the District’s control between now and the final levy certification.

He further noted that the Truth-in-Taxation hearing — as approved by the Board via tonight's consent —is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on December 6, 2022, to allow for citizen comments and input with the final levy approval during the regular board meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Westmoreland clarified that the board would be certified at a flat rate compared to PAY22 and possibly at a decreased rate. Adams moved; Khan seconded to certify the proposed property tax levy at the maximum for the PAY23 (FY24) levy cycle. Carried.

Proposed Issuance of General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and Alternative Facilities Refunding Bonds, Series 2022A

Back in May & June, LTFM was approved by MDE. In order to serve these capital projects we need to sell bonds. A portion of this sale will help cover the deferred maintenance for the LTFM and the other will help refund the 2013A & 2013B bond series. The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of the proposed issuance of $31,875,000 General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and Alternative Facilities Refunding Bonds Series 2022A.

Pederson moved; Adams seconded; That the board approve the Proposed Issuance of General Obligation Facilities Maintenance and Alternative Facilities Refunding Bonds, Series 2022A and pass its related resolution. Those voting in favor thereof: Treasurer Steve Adams, Chair Jennifer Bouchard, Director Rachel Hartland, Director Tanya Khan, Director Jason Ross, and Clerk Katie Pederson. Those unable to vote: Vice Chair Shannon Andreson. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Policies in First Read

Policy 102: Equal Education Opportunity
Policy 103: Complaints-Students, Employees, Parents, Other People
Policy 208: Development, Adoption, Implementation, And Communication Of Policies
Policy 209: School Board Code Of Ethics And Operating Principles
Policy 211: Criminal Or Civil Action Against School District, School Board Member, Employee, Or Student
Policy 212: School Board Member Development

Director Ross and Assistant Superintendent Lightfoot provided background on the presented policies. No changes were presented for policies: 102, 103 and 208. Treasurer Adams requested edits to Policy 209 II. General Statement of Policy specifically the attendance piece. Lightfoot went on to note minor changes to policies, 211 and 212.

Pederson moved; and Adams seconded; that the Board approves Policies [102, 103, 208, 209, 211, and 212] 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 and with policy 209 as a new business item. Carried.