Special Meeting of the School Board

November 13, 2025

The special meeting of the Board of Education of Independent School District 270 was conducted in-person and streamed virtually, on Thursday, November 13, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 

School Board members present: Chair Shannon Andreson, Director Brooke Roper, Vice Chair Jason Ross, Clerk Kaj Thompson, and Director Jen Westmoreland. Director Zhiming Zhao joined the meeting virtually.  

School Board members absent: Treasurer Rachel Hartland.

Student Board reps present: None.

Staff members present: Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed. 

Staff members absent: None.

Approval of Agenda 

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

Consent Calendar 

Westmoreland moved; Roper seconded; to approve the Consent Calendar as presented: A) 2025 Canvassing Results; B) Clerk’s Certificate as to Abstract and Return of Votes Cast General & Special Elections. Carried.

Resolution Canvassing Returns of Votes of School District General & Special Election

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

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 270, State of Minnesota, as follows:

1. It is hereby found, determined, and declared that the general and special election of the voters of this School District held on November 4, 2025, was in all respects duly and legally called and held.

2. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, a total of 14,017 voters of the School District voted at said general election on the election of three (3) School Board members for four (4) year term vacancies on the School Board caused by expiration of term on the first Monday in January next following the general election as follows:

• Rachel Hartland 7,364

• Johanna Hyman 6,894
• Sara Wilhelm Garbers 5,624

3. Rachel Hartland, Johanna Hyman, and Sara Wilhelm Garbers, having received the highest number of votes, are elected to four (4) year terms beginning on the first Monday in January, 2026.

4. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, at said election a total of 14,017 voters of the School District voted on the question of authorizing the issuance of school building bonds for a school acquisition and betterment program (SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 1), of which 10,225 voted in favor, 3,792 voted against the same.  Said proposition, having received the approval of at least a majority of such votes, is hereby declared to have carried.

5. As specified in the attached Abstract and Return of Votes Cast, at said election a total of 13,985 voters of the School District voted on the question of renewing a capital project levy authorization for taxes payable in 2028 and thereafter (SCHOOL DISTRICT QUESTION 2), of which 10,890 voted in favor, 3,095 voted against the same.  Said proposition, having received the approval of at least a majority of such votes, is hereby declared to have carried.

6. The Clerk is hereby directed to certify the results of the election to the County Auditor of each county in which the School District is located in whole or in part and to the Commissioner of Education.

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

Adjournment

Westmoreland moved; Roper seconded; to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 p.m. Carried.

 

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Kaj Thompson, School Board Clerk