Official School Board Minutes

Regular Meeting of the School Board
February 16, 2021

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted virtually on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.

School Board members present online: Treasurer Steve Adams, Director Fartun Ahmed, Vice Chair Shannon Andreson, Chair Jennifer Bouchard, Director Tanya Khan, Director John Kuhl, and Clerk Katie Pederson. School Board members absent: None.

Student Board reps present: Aidan Law (10) and Raines Lucas (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. Bouchard noted that no Open Agenda comments were submitted.    

Reports:

Student Board Representatives:

Raines and Law updated Board members on events/activities taking place at Hopkins High School, sharing comments focused on the secondary scholar’s return to in person learning and the adjustments both teachers and students faced.

Superintendent:

Mhiripiri-Reed also updated Board members on scholar’s return to school, stating that K-6th grade students are in-person learning four days a week and 7-12th grade students attending in-person one day per week. The launch of the 2021 Spring Reimagining Task Forces will occur on Wednesday February 17th. She highlighted the number of staff, students and scholars that signed up to participate on these task forces that will leverage learnings from COVID-19 and 2018 Task Forces to reimagine and progress toward Vision 2031.

Approval of Agenda:   

Khan moved, Adams seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Consent Calendar:   

Adams moved, Kuhl seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A)  Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on February 2, 2021; B)  Human Resources — Personnel Updates; C) Resolution Directing the Administration to Make Staffing Recommendations; D)  HEA Seniority List, 2020-21; E) Updated Board Committees List. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard.  Those opposed: None. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Adams highlighted expenses of interest. Adams moved, Andreson seconded, to approve financial disbursements in the amount of $2,375,591.17 for the period of January 26, 2021 through February 8, 2021. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard.  Those opposed: None. Carried. 

Policies In First Reading:

Policy 204*: School Board Meeting Minutes
Policy 410*: Family and Medical Leave
(*Require annual review by the Board)

Vice Chair Andreson noted that she, Clerk Pederson, and Director Kuhl met for the first time as the 2021 Board Monitoring Committee to re-implement the policy work for the district. Assistant Superintendent Lightfoot introduced and reviewed each of the policies noting no revisions were being recommended for the annual review. 

Andreson moved, Adams seconded to approve these policies (as noted above) in First Reading; further, the Board directs the Administration to prepare the policies for approval in Second Reading at the next meeting (as part of the Consent Calendar). Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those opposed: None. Carried. 

Predictable Staffing Model Presentation with Cost Modeling:

Director Chapinduka presented Hopkins’ Predictable Staffing Model developed, with guidance from Cabinet members, CFAC and district leaders. He provided three examples of this model noting that the model is fluid and the numbers presented are preliminary and subject to change. Factors that are included in evolving the Predictable Staffing Model include: discretionary funding, site supplies and materials, site operational allocations and state and federal grants. Chapinduka also highlighted that enrollment is the main driver in the allocations at each site.  

Through his examples, Chapinduka provided insight into specific positions, department specific costing breakdowns and resources our district buildings could receive based on the Predictable Staffing Base Allocation formulas. 

Board members shared comments and questions surrounding a consistent and equitable experience at each school, how it compares to the current models in place, involvement of Principals and staff in the development and the progression of the long-term focus the Predictable Model provides.

Resolution Calling Executive Session - Superintendent Mid-Year Review: 

Chair Bouchard proposed that an Executive Session be called — pursuant to Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, Subd.3(a) — to conduct the Superintendent’s mid-year review for the 2020-21 school year.

Khan moved, Pederson seconded, to approve 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 Superintendent’s mid-year review for the 2020-21 school year; that the meeting be held virtually, 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. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those opposed: None. Carried. 

Board Member Reports: 

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

Andreson moved, Adams seconded, to adjourn the meeting 8:35 p.m. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Ahmed, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those opposed: None. Carried.

 

 

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Kathrine Pederson, School Board Clerk