Regular Meeting of the School Board

November 18, 2025

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 

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

School Board members absent: None.

Student Board reps present: Eloise Bullen (11), Iris Moore (10), Sufyan Osman (10), Adina Togal (9), Ava Schwab (VEDU) and Zayn Tezak (VEDU).

Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. 

Staff members absent: None.

Open Agenda — Public Comments

No public comments were presented.

Reports

Student Board Representatives: Bullen, Moore, Osman, and Togal, updated the Board on recent events at Hopkins High School. Tezak shared with the Board their opinion on a recent topic from VEDU.  

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

Approval of Agenda 

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

Consent Calendar 

Hartland moved; Roper seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on October 21, 2025; B) Approval of Minutes — Special Meeting Conducted on November 13, 2025; C) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; D) Policies in Second Read; E) Amended Ubah Lease; F) Transportation Support Contract. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report 

Hartland moved; Westmoreland seconded; to approve financial disbursements in the amount of $4,667,841.76 for the period of October 01, 2025 through October 31, 2025. Carried. 

Enrollment Update

Jolene Goldade, Director of Communications, Karly Norling, Business Analyst, and Dr. Nik Lightfoot, Assistant Superintendent provided a high-level look at the trends shaping our student enrollment for the coming year. It highlights areas of stability alongside emerging shifts that could influence future planning.

Board members discussed the presentation. No action was taken.

SY26-27 Calendar Second Read 

Roper moved; Westmoreland seconded; to approve the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar in second read. Carried.

Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Operating Levy 2025

Hartland moved; Roper seconded; to approve the Resolution Authorizing Renewal of Operation Levy 2025. 

Those voting in favor thereof: Andreson, Hartland, Roper, Ross, Thompson, Westmoreland, and Zhao. Carried.

Policies in First Read

Hopkins 201

MSBA 201

Hopkins 208

MSBA 208

Hopkins 211

MSBA 211

Hopkins 212

MSBA 212

Hopkins 603

MSBA 603

Hopkins 604

MSBA 604

Hopkins 806

MSBA 806

Hopkins 859

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

Westmoreland 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 (as part of Consent). Carried.

Resolution Calling Executive Session

Westmoreland moved; Hartland seconded; that the Board approves the following resolution:

It is hereby resolved that the School Board of Independent School District 270, Hopkins, Minnesota, meet in Executive Session to conduct the HEA contract for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years; that the meeting be held in-person, and commence immediately following adjournment of this Regular Meeting; further, that it be noted that all Board Members, Superintendent, and Clerk were duly notified of intention to call this Executive Session.

Carried.

Board Member Reports

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

Public Comment - Overflow 

No public comments were presented.

Adjournment

Westmoreland moved; Hartland seconded; to adjourn the closed session at 10:52 p.m. Carried. 

Hartland moved; Westmoreland seconded; to adjourn the meeting at 10:53 p.m. Carried.

 

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Kaj Thompson, School Board Clerk