started here tonight. Oops. We'll get started here tonight. Um, we'll start out with our recognition. Um, do do you want me to or do you >> No, I am doing the recognition. [laughter] So, on behalf of the administration, staff, and students of Stillwater Area Public Schools, I would like to thank you for your unwavering support of the school district. Uh, we, you know, I think everybody in this room was at the new schools over the last couple weeks.

Um, and so that those new schools are an example of the your unwavering commitment to get things done in this district. And we cannot do as much as we have without a great school board um that's supporting the different initiatives within the district. And you know, I said this last year and I mean it. You're really one of the best boards that I've had the privilege of working with in 20 some years of uh being a superintendent.

So, in your appreciation for your continued investment in our students and staff, your dedicated s service on the school board, we've got you flowers, [laughter] >> pony petals. >> And so, these are pony petals. And so, let me talk about those a little bit here. I think I've got some notes on that. So, pony petals are from our students, okay? and they we have a little note and I think you already all have it in front of you here and this is a called a little something to brighten your day.

And so the students in one of our special education programs uh go and they deliver these and and they don't seek any money but they you know if you want to give them a donation you can. And it's really great uh uh brings a smile to people's faces throughout the district whether they're teachers, teachers, pair professionals or other other individuals within the district. And so the flowers are prepared um by the students.

And I think Joan has provided these mason jars for us tonight. Um but uh um I thought Joan actually came up with this idea that uh what a great way to recognize the board with uh this new initiative from our students. So um that's what I have for you there. And most importantly, I think for all of you who are here tonight, [laughter] I have a certificate of recognition. And if this guy tries to hug me, we'll see what happens.

[laughter] I gave it last. [laughter] That's all. Parker, thank you for everything. >> Thank you very much, sir. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> And I would just want to give a shout out um because I read about this this pony petals, which is so cool, but it's also done with River Crust florals. They provide the flowers. >> Yeah. >> So, just a shout out to our community partners. >> Thank you. You bet. >> Who offer their time and talents.

[clears throat] >> Sarah, better plate than ever. >> [laughter] >> Thanks for being a school board member. You missed all the other good stuff. >> Thank you, Dr. Fun. [laughter] >> The flowers are from our >> They're lovely. Oh my goodness. >> You showered us with praise. [laughter] >> It's usually the other way around. [laughter] >> I just text Alison. >> Alison, >> thank you. Thank you. Okay. >> Katie, get the news. >> Yes. >> I don't think I have one of these.

But you got flowers. >> Yes. >> Get flowers. >> And this guy, [laughter] [clears throat] buddy. >> There you go, buddy. >> That's right. >> All right. Thanks for all your support. >> Now, do we need to go up and take questions from each other? >> Right. [laughter] >> Yeah. And this is what this is like a month of schoolboard appreciation. >> Yeah. So it's just to hear about it. It's been a whole month of I'm sure you felt all the appreciation.

[laughter] >> All right. Well, thank you so much and uh we appreciate that. So >> um with that amazing recognition and our flowers, we'll move on to our next item of business, which actually we for public comment tonight, we don't have any. So we will go ahead and call our business meeting to order. Joan roll call. >> Director Gerspitch >> here. >> Director Hawker >> here. >> Director Kelzenberg >> here. >> Director Lawer. >> Dr.

Parker >> here. >> Director Theelander >> here. >> Chair Sherman >> here. You have a quorum. Great. Let's stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, I will go ahead and make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. >> Great.

Director Theer with the second. All those in favor of approving tonight's agenda, raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. Agenda passes. We're going to start with our student report and we're um we have our students here for the first time, one of them. So, I'm going to let her um Katie introduce herself and uh give us her report. >> Yes. Hi, my name is Katie um Katie Smith and um for me at the high school I'm heavily involved in the band program.

Um I play alto saxophone and I love every bit of it. Um and yes, I'm the co-president of student council and I just love being a leader in creating change at the high school and I hope to bring a well-rounded student perspective to the board and give great insight and answer any questions you guys might have. >> Great. Did you have anything for your report tonight too in addition to introducing yourself? Um, just that yes, it's homecoming week as you guys all know.

Um, I'm going to be in the powderpuff game tomorrow, so looking forward to that. >> Predictions, [laughter] >> hopefully seniors win. We'll see. Um, but the activities fair was today, so all the clubs and sports got to show their activities during lunch, and everyone's really excited for the football game and the dance. >> Great. >> So, thank you. Um, any questions for Katie before we move on? >> Great. We'll move to Superintendent Funks report. >> So, we're in a full swing with school and I had the opportunity here a few weeks ago to uh um participate in um um start to participate in different engagement groups that I have throughout the district.

So, last week I think it was I met with the the students at the high school. Uh we also had our quality steering committee where I meet with with teacher leadership and uh and then earlier this week we also had our uh employee engagement group that met and so in the next couple weeks we'll have our community engagement group um advisory group and then after that we will have uh um our community finance group. So, and then following that towards the end of October, I'll actually be my superintendent and residence at uh Oakland Middle School as we continue that program.

So, a lot of lot of good things uh good feedback going on around the district and uh um quality engagement with uh um people throughout the community. So, that's what I have tonight. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, I do not have anything for tonight's report, but um, we will move on to an extensive consent agenda. So, we have that listed on screen. I'll make a motion to approve tonight's consent. It's items A through J. Is there a second?

I'll second. Great. Director Hawker with a second. Um, all those in favor of approving tonight's consent agenda, raise your hand and say, "I." >> I. I. >> Opposed. Consent agenda passes. Okay, we're moving along tonight into our first action item, which is um going to bring [clears throat] Marie. Oh, she's already here. Um Marie's going to come and we're going to adopt the preliminary proposed 2026 payable 2027 property tax levy.

Welcome. >> Good evening. So again, the there's a couple purposes to this evening. So I'm going to just provide again an overview of the preliminary proposed um property tax uh levy this evening. And then we're also going to set the date uh for the truth and taxation meeting. So just giving that um overall um overview so that um a uh recommendation of the maximum um can be certified this evening and then setting that date for the truth and taxation.

So again, just um for a couple slides of review, not only for the school board, but also for the community. Um levy basics, school levy authority is established in law. Um budgets are based on um state, federal, and local funding including voter approval, operating bond, and technology levies. Um unlike cities and counties, uh the 2026, the year that we're setting, um the levy, it's payable in 2027. Um for school districts is for the following school year.

So a whole another year out, 2027 28. And levy revenue is approximately, and that's our current year, 29% of the district's general fund budget. So, just some key messages. Um, preliminary levy certification as part of the overall levy process and it's due to the county auditor and the Minnesota Department of Education by September 30th. And it's based the the runs you'll see in this presentation are based on calculations provided by the state as of September 20 September 16th.

Adjustments to the levy levy are um being made and they were yesterday late in the afternoon and it did impact us a little bit. Uh certifying the maximum allows for greater flexibility and I'll just keep reiterating that it um certifying the maximum is recommended. levy can only move downward uh after October 1st and then the school board meeting to adopt the final certified levy um is on December 22nd. So, uh before you this evening is that September 16th uh levy run by the state and um the general fund levies here.

There's about 39 pages um of numbers that uh we go through to look at and compare uh all the different general fund, community service uh fund, and debt service fund levies. So, just highlighting here in that far right column uh the proposed levy changes. Uh what you'll see here um is the the referendum or our operating referendum. There was a a bottom line change there uh due to our [clears throat] referendum market value changes and the inflationary change um there's about a 2% uh increase annually. there's an inflation factor and then um due to our referendum market value uh property in the district.

So you'll see that that's just around $600,000 uh that subtotal there. And then um just to highlight a few other changes. um the net tax capacity. If you look about halfway down the page, you'll see the capital projects referendum or that tech levy. That's increasing by about 350,000 and that's due to net tax capacity. Um also a good thing for the district. So, so that the capital projects levy is based upon it's as Marie just stated the tax capacity of the district.

So, it's the if as the district grows, businesses, housing, more tax capacity, we actually receive more money in that fund. That's the way it was structured uh as a capital projects lobby. So that's when we see an increase in tax capacity, we we receive more money um with into the tech levy. So that's a positive for us. >> Another larger levy on this page is our other postmployment benefits levy and that's compared to the previous year.

We actually are it's like a year behind on this levy. what you see for um the current levy or the pay 2027 levy uh that $421,000 increase is for benefits that we paid in 202526. So um and that is uh retirey uh benefits that were um contractual. They have since sunseted, but these are for health and other postmployment benefits. And that's an actuarial study that's completed every two years. So those um are something that we can levy for.

Um but again, it's it's always legging a year and we can levy for that amount. Um another area is um the long-term facility maintenance. um that is part of the general fund portion and that is uh the um 10-year plan that was approved um by the board in June. It's submitted in by July for every school district. So, we had some adjustments there. Um that's all based on that um long-term facility maintenance 10-year plan.

And there's 10 columns on there and they all correlate to those uh dollar amounts. There's a general fund portion and then there's a bond portion that will um also be reflected in another slide from now. And then there's also prior year adjustments. Uh most of that are most of those are the long-term facility maintenance adjustments. Um, and that was also on that 10-year plan as well. So, what you'll see the total for the proposed um 2026 payable 27 levy is um the general fund is just a little bit over 43.8 million and we're actually the levy change is actually going down just almost by 1.3 million and that again is by law. we we are levying um what we can >> as a district.

So um it is going down um a bit um based on all the levies that we um input as a district. And then we have a couple more levies. Uh the community service fund. I'm just going to highlight a couple that are increasing um just by little little amounts. Um the early child childhood family education levy or ECF is um going up by uh 66,000 and then the other one is school age care is going up by 75,000 and then um we have some prior year adjustments.

So overall the um proposed community service fund uh levy is just a little bit over 1.4 4 million for um next year or about $100,000 overall um increasing. And again, that's about the maximum that we can do there. And then last but not least is our debt service fund. And then those are all the bonds uh that the district um issues. They're on payment plan annually, kind of like your mortgage. And so the top half of those bonds are the school building bonds um that we uh issued and were voter approved.

So you'll see that overall is about 18.7 million. And then the lower half there are the LTFM bonds or the long-term facility maintenance bonds. That was part of the 10-year plan and those are about uh 4.4 44.5 million. So overall the um L or the debt service is about 23.1 and that overall is going up about um $3 million and we do um utilize some debt excess funds. we uh levy for about 105% here uh due to some um inflationary and interest factors.

So we do offset that when we can and you can see those credits in there. Um so overall as a district um we are uh the proposed uh 2026 payable 27 levy um is 68.4 4 million or $1.8 million um which is $2.76% over last year. Now the run that came out from MDE late yesterday afternoon um had us at um 3.07%. So, there was about a $200,000 adjustment for the tax increment financing, but again, um there could be additional adjustments um back and forth on this um that the state does.

Um so, the estimate that I'm giving you this evening um could sway either way. Um but again, this is the closest that we had it um at the time of the board presentation. That's why we recommend the maximum. Um again, I don't see it going any higher than um that 3% range or 2.76 to 3%. So um Joan, if you could pull up the the onepage chart here. That being said, with the 2.76% um what is what was provided by um Aaylor's um our district um financial advisors.

This is assuming that there's no change in the value of um individual parcels of property um between uh 2026 and 27. So, what we're looking at is residential, commercial, and apartments between the years and that 2.76 um percent change. And the annual change in taxes of about that 1.8 million. And you can see the impact of the property taxes. We actually see a negative 1.1%. Um, I don't even I don't see even if we went to that 3% um that having a turning us to a positive, you know, it may impact most of those numbers between five and $20 maximum.

So, it would still be a negative uh dollar amount overall. So again, that that I just wanted to highlight um the overall um average home um and we usually use that $550,000 um average home is seeing, you know, a negative $23 um at a minus $1.1% kind of starting and then going from there. Um has that value. >> As a reminder to the board, there are three local entities that go into the tax statement that the county sends out.

There's the county taxes, there's the city taxes, and then there's the school district taxes. And so, um, I don't know where the county's at. I think it's double digits as far as their increase. Um, the city's not that high. They're in the single digits, I believe. So, you know, we're we're saying it's a 3%, but because of the expanded tax base that we have within the community, um we're actually our taxpayers actually seeing a reduction if their house value stays there, their property value stays the same.

So, that's a real positive for the taxpayers of uh of of our school district. So, I just wanted to bring that to to folks attention. >> I appreciate that. Um, well, I'll I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to certify this to the maximum. Is that And can I get a second? >> Second. >> And then are there questions for that? Marie can answer [clears throat] because I know you're recommending me go to the maximum. Any questions?

Thank you for this excellent presentation. And I think we're going to do the setting of the taxation max does the action >> certify max and then set >> Can I just make a clarification? I think I understand this but by setting it to the max like as you were saying they were just changing it to the 3% we are allowing the district to levy then up to 3% correct >> if that is where we land. Okay. >> And and it may drop >> and it might drop too. >> Okay.

So where and when when is the date of >> September 30th so so basically a week from tomorrow. >> Okay. So, wherever it lands at that point, that's what we're stuck at until December. Yeah. Great. >> And it would be state adjustments that they're doing and trying to put in there. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> I know, and I don't know if we put this out um for the public to see, but I think I'm always I mean, it's a struggle, right? because there's there's t other entities are raising taxes um within the community, but um it's something that the schools kind of get lumped into that.

But I do think it's important for our taxpayers to see that we are um that it's not necessarily on us. Maybe there would be time, but I I don't know if we can get this out there more publicly be um or if there's plans to do that. >> It's everything is posted. >> Okay. and maybe we could even get it out there because you do such a good job on your portion of the website. But just to call attention to that, I think for taxpayers is something that important >> particularly when we have two brand new schools that people can look at and see. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much for this information. >> Question. >> There is a motion and a second.

All those in favor of certifying to the maximum um as proposed for 2026 payable in 2027, raise your hand and say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Great. And then now we will um address the truth and taxation meeting. Uh we're looking to approve a date of December 8th at 6 pm and that would be here. Uh and just something every year. So, we'll put this out for the community to know that they can come and provide us with feedback um on on what we >> on the tax statements as well. >> Yes.

And they will have that. >> Um is there a motion to approve? >> I'll move to approve. >> Is there a second? Great. Dr. Kelzenberg with the second. Uh all those in favor of approving our truth and taxation meeting again for December 8th, 2026 at 6 PM, raise your hand and say I >> opposed. Great. We set that date as well. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And uh now we have a few reports for first readings of policies.

Um we will start with uh a first reading of policy 507.5 school resource officers. >> Is that coming up? [laughter] actually don't have voice. >> We'll do we'll do what we can. Okay. [laughter] >> Oh, no. >> It doesn't seem to come back. >> Okay. So, those of you who were at the policy committee, we've reviewed the um SRO policy. Um, >> and I should say just by um kind of like a a general standard of practice, if there's minor changes to, you know, state statute or just insignificant changes, you the board sees those u modifications on consent. these the um policy committee when we put them on a first read it's because the changes might be a little bit more significant or maybe we just feel it's worth reviewing um by the board when you see it here at first read it's been seen by staff the appropriate staff so um people in the room like Dr.

Funk FA Carissa um different principles and other appropriate staff members. So it's been vetted. Um and so all of these will kind of go through point out maybe some of the changes and then there's opportunity for a second read and feedback in between before we approve. >> So on 507.5 I think you have anything highlighted in there that you want to share or if you that you can share. Yeah. Under um part five 507.1 has to do with the resource >> school resource officer >> school resource officers and um there sections were added that needs that again changes it and it needs to identify as police officer.

So they're not SRO's, they are police officers. And then um this was reviewed Mark and um secondary principles reviewed this. She's looking at me like [laughter] so that's and policy 507. >> Great. >> Mark, you have anything that you want to add? Nope. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So again, this is just um a first read. Again, changes um based on state statute and but just ones that we wanted to run by the the board. Feel free to provide that feedback um to FA and Carissa with a copy to Mike and we can review them in our next policy meeting.

If you have any of that feedback, >> sorry, what was the Sorry. >> Yes. Yes. >> What was the difference between this and uh MSBA standard policy? >> Lot of policy. Yeah. >> So, school it's we no longer are calling school resource officers. They're police officers. So, >> but MSBA calls them school resource officers. >> I think we were calling them school resource officers. Correct. >> Or and then now we're calling them police officers. >> Got it.

And that aligns with MSBA. >> That's consistent. Yep. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Do we um I just thought of this. Do we need to change the policy title? I didn't even look at that when we reviewed, but that might Yeah. >> Yeah. We'll take >> I didn't we so often we don't even look at the title. We're looking at the meat of the policy, but I'll make a note of that. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Great. Um so again, feel free to read through if you have questions, um comments.

Again, these are um this is just a first read. Uh the next one is a first reading of policy 509, enrollment of non-resident students. >> Yeah. Um there were changes made to section three and section four and um and this section in and section three and section four tutotoring non-resident students and I sought in the third degree and so um this These were the changes made to that um the enrollment of non-resident student.

It's my note so I can't that's policy 509. >> Okay. >> Where were the changes? >> Section 3 ABCD. >> ABC and D are new. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> That was an addition by um MSBA. But again, it, you know, when when MSBA starts adding significant text, we want to run it by the board to make sure it's been run by staff. It's um it's within the state statute um compliance has been looked at, but they did add a significant [clears throat] chunk of text there for you guys to be aware of. >> Is it the same for sess Oh, sorry.

Section four. >> Um is that all new to ABC and Oh, >> is four ABC and D new as well? Is that all new as well? >> What? I'm sorry. >> Is se sorry. Is section four um new as well or was it just that section 3 A, B, and C? >> I'm trying to look at my notes, Katie. >> I'm really going to I'm going to apologize. I was out yesterday, so I'm just getting this for the first time. >> So, um what was your question? Pardon me. >> Was it was it um anything in section four?

Cuz you'd mentioned section three and four there were changes. Um, so in section three it was A, B, and C. Oh, ABC and D. And then for section four, which of those? >> A C, F. >> ABC, B, C, >> C, F. Yes. >> F. >> Oh, okay. So, I was I had a question about F. Um, and is there new language in there then? Um, >> John, >> sorry. >> Wait for it to show up. >> Give me one sec. Sorry. or which paragraph in there was new >> and or adjusted. >> Okay.

What's the question? 509. There go. F. F. Yep. Stop there. Perfect. Termination of enrollment. >> I was just curious that about the um because that was a section on habitual truency and with the whole operation metro surge, this became an issue last year. So, I was wondering if MSBA did any adjustments in their language here. Um if if that was the basis for it or if or what changed in this section, I guess. So, it says tutoring non-resident students assault and thirdderee citation 609.233. >> Where's that change? in the middle there.

Terminate enrollment. I think you scroll past it. Okay. So, that was the new paragraph. >> Okay. I can look it up, too. >> All right. I'll do some digging. >> Hang on. I'm pulling up. >> That's okay. I I I understand policy is tricky. I'm asking a lot of questions tonight. Sorry. [laughter] I'll look into it more. >> Okay. >> Yep. Okay. >> Okay. Next policy is the literacy and the read act policy 621. >> Yeah. There were additions and additions that were made to this section and one of the the first edited one was policy 3 DG DNG >> DNG >> and so um so I'm looking at this right now it says um they highlighted changes there oral language also includes sign language in which speaking and listening skills are defined as expressive and receptive skills and consistent of phology.

Phonology include sign language, phological awareness, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. So, >> so you said three DG. Okay. So D means we basically have to have somebody specialize or licensed in lit as a literacy specialist in the district which we do. >> Um and then scroll down to G. Okay. And that's what Dr. Abama was just speaking to >> speaking to >> change the G there. >> And this was looked at by Sky.

Sky review please and okay the this revision. >> Good. >> And then um there were added section um also and so again um the notice gave her opinion there. She said she thinks teachers and the public may have followed up um with questions. So some were edited and then um additions were also make made. So, this is consistent with MSBA? >> Yes. >> Okay. And >> been reviewed and um updated with any kind of legislative tweaks that they've made. >> Okay. >> Um and the last first reading is policy 709, transportation.

That was this was also reviewed by Tom and um we reviewed some changes on that policy as well. Some little tweaks. >> Was that um >> There you go. There we go. >> First aid kits. >> So first first aid um has been ordered >> that was the big thing is the first aid kits um that we talked about in policy >> and so Tom has ordered those. >> Was that a change to the law? >> I don't know if that was a Was that I know [clears throat] MSBA I didn't I don't have it. >> Best practice of keeping band-aids on the bus >> was MSBA added it to the policy but we're not sure if it was a change in the law.

Okay. All right. That's fine. Thank you. >> But Tom is now compliant. Okay. So, great. >> And he was fine with everything else. I thought it was on there, which I find it's just good to have all the staff members kind of read this and make sure that they're >> for sure. >> It's reflected in their work. >> Great. So, all of those are just an introductory for you guys to all read um and ask questions and again send that to Mike and FA and um we'll have a second read at the next meeting. >> Thank you. >> Great.

Thanks. >> Feel better. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um we have a close session tonight. I'm going to go ahead and read the statement. The next item on the agenda is a closed session pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3C3 which allows the board to go into closed session to develop or consider an offer to purchase or sell real property. Um is there a motion to go into closed? Great. Director Kelzenberg uh with the motion.

Is there a second? [clears throat] >> Great. We'll go with Director Theelander with a second. All those in favor of of moving to close session, raise your hand and say I. >> I. Opposed. We will move to close session.