February 20 Meeting Highlights

 

Action Item - Approval of the Agenda

The motion carried (6-0).

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Action Item - Approval of Consent Agenda

The motion carried (6-0).

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Comments to the School Board
No one was in attendance to provide comments to the School Board.

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American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) Update
Peter Mau, Assistant Superintendent; Kevin Sheridan, Educational Equity Coordinator; Nell Barri, American Indian Cultural Liaison; and Nicole McMahon, AIPAC Chair, presented an update from the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC). Minnesota Statute requires that all Minnesota districts with 10 or more American Indian students have an AIPAC. This committee serves in an advisory role to the school district and helps ensure that American Indian students receive culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. The AIPAC must meet and vote on concurrence or non-concurrence, meaning that the AIPAC concurs or does not concur that the School Board and district are compliant with MN Statutes. The committee has submitted its vote of concurrence. However, the committee also suggested looking to other funding areas so that the full-time Cultural Liaison is not paid entirely out of their budget.

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Achievement and Integration Budget Update
Peter Mau, Assistant Superintendent, and Kevin Sheridan, Educational Equity Coordinator, presented an update on the Achievement & Integration (A&I) budget. The purpose of the A&I program is to pursue racial and economic integration, increase student achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students’ diverse backgrounds. The overall budget of $1,079,786.11 requires that at least 80% be spent on direct student services, no more than 20% on professional development, and no more than 10% on administrative costs. Use of the funds must align with the goals and strategies outlined in the approved plan. To be eligible for funds, School District 197 must partner with another school district, which is St. Paul Public Schools, on integration efforts.

Major initiatives funded by A&I include Parent Academy; AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination); Cultural Liaisons and interpreting/translating services; Magnet Schools; student groups; Staff of Color Affinity Group; and AMAZEworks. Specifics in the goals include enrolling more students in at least one rigorous course; increasing the percentage of licensed staff of color, and increasing the graduation rate. Budget changes for the 24-25 school year will include the elimination of the middle school AVID program due to constraints in the new middle school schedule; an increase in the amount for cultural liaisons to backfill the reduction in other available funds; and dedicating a portion of the savings from the elimination of the middle school AVID program to cover increased staff costs.

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FY 2022-2023 Audit Presentation
James Eichten, CPA and Managing Partner with MMKR (Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A.), presented the FY 2022-2023 audit results. An independent firm must prepare an annual audit of the district’s general fund. MMKR prepares and submits it to the Minnesota Department of Education
and the State Auditor’s office. During the audit process, MMKR also reviews the student activity funds and financial management, ensuring the district has the proper procedures in place.

Mr. Eichten reported that his firm has given the district an unmodified or “clean” opinion of the district’s basic financial statements. The district has received this rating in previous audits. In past audits, the auditors found the district’s internal controls to be well-designed, implemented, and functioning correctly. One of the audit’s regular findings (and again this year) is related to the segregation of duties in the district’s finance and payroll departments. Though this finding could be addressed by hiring additional staff, the districtcontinues to prioritize resources to the classroom and addresses this finding through additional process controls. Additional findings related to the prompt payment of invoices, internal controls over suspension and debarment, and a declining fund balance.

Mr. Eichten went over the financial part of the audit. He stated that the district continues to be in a stable financial position, and the financial results reflect adherence to the budget. The full audit report will be available on the district’s website at www.isd197.org/district/finance.

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First Reading of Policy 506, Student Discipline
Peter Mau, Assistant Superintendent, presented a first reading of Policy 506, Student Discipline. This is a mandatory policy for school districts and requires an annual review. It was last reviewed and approved in November 2022. Due to new legislation, there are numerous updates to the policy. The changes emphasize the use of non-exclusionary discipline practices, the elimination of the use of suspension in certain grade levels, the school district's responsibility to provide educational services when a student is excluded from school, reasonable force expectations, and the elimination of recess detention. Additionally, school districts are now required to put their procedures for removing a student from class into policy and to have a discipline complaint procedure in Policy 506. Both are local decisions, and the MSBA model policy does not provide language. The draft policy reflects language changes MSBA suggested and the administration's specific language suggestions. Legal counsel reviewed all district language. Board members suggested minor changes. This policy will be brought back to the March 4, 2024, meeting for a second reading via the consent agenda should the suggested changes be minor.

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First Reading of Policy 708, Transportation of Nonpublic School Students
The Director of Operations, Mark Fortman, presented the first reading of Policy 708. Transportation of Nonpublic School Students. It was last reviewed and approved in November 2020. The draft policy reflects language changes suggested by MSBA. Under Section IV, Students with Disabilities, language has been
added regarding training for drivers and aides for the transportation of students with disabilities. The term “guardian” has been added in two areas. This policy will be brought back to the March 4, 2024, meeting for a second reading via the consent agenda.

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First Reading of Policy 709, Student Transportation Safety Policy
The Director of Operations, Mark Fortman, presented a first reading of Policy 709, Student Transportation Safety Policy. It was last reviewed and approved in March 2020. The draft policy reflects language changes suggested by MSBA. Safety required training and associated deadlines and instructions have been added. “Serious traffic violation” has been better defined. A change was made to Type III vehicles related to the age of the vehicle. Other minor changes were made throughout the policy. Board members suggested minor changes. This policy will be brought back to the March 4, 2024, meeting for a second reading via the consent agenda.

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Discussion on Proposed 2024 School Board Goals
Board member Jon Vaupel presented the proposed 2024 School Board goals for review. Based on the achievement of the 2023 goals and the board’s self-evaluation results, the board planning committee has drafted a proposed set of goals for 2024. They include:

• Identify resources (e.g., book, podcast, article) that will help the board deepen its knowledge on topics related to the strategic framework or other topics of interest.
• Engage in regular development sessions to better understand district professional development, best practices in board governance, and other topics of interest.
• Expand the board’s legislative advocacy to create more opportunities for board members to engage with state legislators.
• Determine how to integrate the work and role of the Association for Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) into one of the Board’s existing committees.
• Design a 197 T-shirt that helps community members identify Board members and feel welcome and encouraged to engage in conversation.

Board members suggested minor changes. These goals will be revised and brought back to the March 4, 2024, meeting for approval.

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Adjournment

The motion carried (6-0).