Official School Board Minutes

Regular Meeting of the School Board
May 18, 2021

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted virtually on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

School Board members present online and in person: Treasurer Steve Adams, Vice Chair Shannon Andreson, Chair Jennifer Bouchard, Director Tanya Khan, Director Kuhl, and Clerk Pederson. School Board members absent: Director Fartun Ahmed.

Student Board reps present: Raines Lucas (12) and Imani Kerry-Mongi (11). 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 as well as by comment card if attending the meeting in person. Bouchard noted that no Open Agenda comments were submitted.

Reports

Student Board Representatives

Imani assisted in presenting sophomore, Aiden Law’s report in addition to presenting her own report. Senior Lucas added his report on senior tests and closing out the year.

Superintendent

Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed spoke on the idea of empowering Hopkins’ staff with weekly opportunities to converse with Administration along with honoring our Health Professionals.

Approval of Agenda

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

Consent Calendar

Adams moved, Andreson seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar with the exclusion of the Gender Inclusion Policy as follows: A) Approval of Minutes — Regular Meeting Conducted on May 4, 2021; B) Human Resources — Personnel Updates; C) Policies in Second Reading [514]; D) Business Services Enabling Resolution; E) Hopkins Compensation Model (HCM) Annual Report; F) Title I Reauthorization; G) Designation of Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, Superintendent, as Identified Official with Authority for the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) External User Access Recertification System — 2021-22; H) Community Education Employee Handbook Update. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Adams highlighted expenses of interest. Adams moved and Khan seconded, to approve the financial disbursements in the amount of $2,431,512.47 for the period of April 27, 2021 through May 10, 2021. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Policies in First Reading — Policy 352: Approval of Handbooks and Directives and Resolution: Temporary Modification of Graduation Requirements Board of Education Resolution

Vice Chair Andreson provided background regarding the presented policies. Assistant Superintendent, Lightfoot notified the Board of updates to the provided policies. Andreson moved, Adams seconded to approve policy 352 and Directives and Resolution: Temporary Modification of Graduation Requirements Board of Education Resolution 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, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

FY 2021-2022 Budget Presentation

Since November 2, 2020, Director of Business Services, Tariro Chapinduka and Superintendent, Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, have led the Board in discussions to begin development of fiscal parameters and educational programming suggestions for the Districts FY 2021-2022 budget. Through a series of School Board Workshops, Community Engagement Sessions, Reimagining Your Schools Principal Meetings, recommendations from the Citizens Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) and the implementation of the Predictable Staffing Model, Director Chapinduka and Administration have developed the preliminary FY 2021-2022 Budget.

Director Chapinduka presented details regarding the preliminary budget for FY 2021-22 highlighting the benefits of CARES funding and its assistance with sustaining FTEs for the district. Board members asked questions surrounding the presentation.

Kuhl move Adams seconded to adopt the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Summer Programming Update

Community Education Director, Alex Fisher, Interim Director of Innovation, Design, and Learning, Ann Ertl and Director of Special Services, Fhonda Contreras provided update on this years Summer Learning programs and opportunities.

Long Term Facilities Maintenance Program Update

On April 8, 2021, Hopkins School Board passed the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance resolution approving the allocations of Intermediate District 287 Long Term Facilities Maintenance program costs to each of the member districts. Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, Kevin Neuman, provided details surrounding updates.

Board members share questions and comments surrounding this presentation.

Adams moved and Kuhl seconded that the Board approves the resolution Approving District 287’s Long Term Facilities Maintenance LTFM Ten Year Expenditure Capital Plan. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Andreson moved and Kuhl seconded that the Board approves the resolution Approving the LTFM Revenue Allocation to member districts. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Board Member Reports

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

Incidental Reports

Adams moved, Pederson seconded, to approve the incidental reports. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

Andreson moved, Adams seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Those voting in favor thereof: Adams, Andreson, Khan, Kuhl, Pederson, and Bouchard. Those unable to vote: Director Ahmed. Those opposed: None. Carried.

 

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Kathrine Pederson, School Board Clerk