7/23/20 Business Meeting
Meeting Notes
The following is an informal summary of the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting the board approved an amendment to the agenda to pull an action item for an amended transportation contract with Minnesota Central Bus Co. Board chair Stivland stated that the contract is not yet ready and will be added to a future meeting.
Report for Information: Second Reading – Policy 903 – Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites
The school board reviewed the Visitors to School policy as part of a second reading. The policy will come back as an action item at a future meeting.
Report For Information: Smart reStart Fall Planning Update
The school board received an update on the district’s Smart reStart plan, and was also asked to consider revising the 2020-2021 calendar to delay the start of the school year by one week. A delay would allow families and staff more time to prepare for the year. Action on the calendar proposal will be requested during a special meeting on July 30. The governor is expected to provide further guidance to schools by July 27 as to what the start of school will look like. Staff has developed two options for families; (1) a hybrid model that will allow students to have a blend of online and in-person learning experiences and (2) a 100% online model. Both models have been developed with safety, equity, and personal relationships in mind. Additional details about the plan, including specifics about scheduling and safety protocols, will be shared in the coming days.
Report for Information: Reimagine Stillwater
The school board received an update on the equity work that is underway in the district, as well as on the district’s short and long term priorities for the school year. The report provided an overview of the district’s equity and integration plan, as well as it’s strategic alignment with Reimagine Minnesota - a statewide coalition to address integration, access, opportunity and educational achievement for all students. It highlighted the efforts underway in areas of professional development and staff training, engaging student voice, recruiting staff of color, and reevaluating curriculum to include more diverse perspectives. The school board, superintendent, administration and entire school staff have committed to making equity a priority for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond.
Action Items:
As a result of the resignation of board members Mark Burns and Shelley Pearson, the board took action on three resolutions to establish the process of filling the positions both temporarily and for the remainder of their terms:
- The school board unanimously approved a resolution outlining the process that will be used to appoint temporary members to fill the positions until a special election can be held this fall. Applications will be available beginning at noon on July 24 and must be submitted by 3 p.m. on July 31. Applicants will be interviewed in August. The two appointees would be selected in September and would hold office until new board members are elected in November.
- The school board unanimously approved a resolution calling for a special election to be held on November 3 to fill the remaining 2-years of both of these seats.
- The board also unanimously approved a resolution establishing filing dates for persons interested in running for a 2 year school board term in the November 3, 2020 Special Election. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed with the school district clerk between July 28 and August 11. M
Action Item: District Handbook
The school board unanimously approved the District’s Handbook, which informs parents and guardians of district policies and required notices, as well as the rights and responsibilities of our students and their guardians. The handbook is published electronically and can be found on the district’s website.
Action Item: Final Reading – Policy 533 – Wellness
The school board unanimously approved Policy 533-Wellness.
Action Item: Contract for Services with the Center for Effective School Operations (CESO)
The school board approved a contract by a vote of 5-2 with CESO to provide financial management and transportation management services to cover the duties of the Executive Director of Finance and Operations, who is currently on administrative leave. The contract is valid through October 31, 2020 at a rate of $21,750 per month.
Action Item: Affinety Payment System Fees
The school board unanimously approved a contract with an online fee payment system called Affinety at an annual cost of approximately $55,000. Affinety will replace FeePay, which has been used previously to collect payments for field trips, activities and other school-related fees. As with FeePay, a 4% transaction fee will be added to all Affinety purchases in order to cover the district’s credit card transaction fees.
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Additional Meeting Notes
There are a limited number of speaking slots. It is a first come, first served system.