The meeting’s most notable outcome was the board’s decision to terminate Tim Klet. The incident in question occurred on December 7, 2024, when Klet reportedly confronted and removed police officers from a concert event at the high school. The board’s investigation found this conduct in direct violation of school policies and contrary to the district’s mission to foster positive relationships with law enforcement. During the meeting, the board deliberated over the findings and ultimately decided that Klet’s actions necessitated disciplinary measures. A motion to terminate his employment was brought forward, and a roll call vote followed, with all present board members voting in favor of the termination.

The board’s decision underscores the seriousness with which it approaches incidents that compromise student safety and community relations. The termination serves as a clear message that maintaining a cooperative and respectful environment with law enforcement is a priority for the district.

Another major topic of discussion was the Indigenous Education programming and the role of the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (APAC). The board heard detailed feedback from APAC members, who emphasized the importance of culturally relevant education for American Indian students. A speaker from APAC highlighted statutory compliance issues, particularly in hiring practices, and expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Indigenous representatives in the hiring process for a language and culture teacher. The speaker also addressed data discrepancies affecting special education and disciplinary actions, urging for greater transparency and accountability.

The APAC further critiqued the district’s inadequate observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and called for enhanced support for educators to meet statutory requirements. The board acknowledged these concerns and committed to providing a written response to each recommendation within 60 days. This discussion highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and systemic changes to better serve Indigenous students.

Financial matters were another focus of the meeting, with auditors presenting the district’s financial statements and internal controls. The audit revealed a clean opinion. The district’s revenues exceeded budget expectations by $1.9 million, largely due to interest income and student activities revenue, while expenditures were under budget by $1.4 million. The unassigned fund balance increased to $14.9 million, surpassing the district’s policy recommendation of 10% of the budget.

Despite these positive financial indicators, the district faces challenges with declining student enrollment. The average daily membership (ADM) has dropped, with a net loss of nearly 1,000 resident students opting out of the district, offset slightly by 347 non-resident students enrolling. This trend mirrors challenges faced by many districts as students increasingly choose charter schools and online programs.

The financial report also detailed the food service fund’s performance, which saw revenues of approximately $4.8 million, driven by increased participation and state support. However, the district remains cautious about managing resources effectively to avoid future budget cuts due to excessive fund balances.

The board also discussed the self-insured status of the district, exploring potential data tracking improvements for insurance expenditures. Preventative healthcare programs for employees were noted as having a financial impact through estimated savings from avoided emergency room visits.

The meeting concluded with updates on student representatives for various committees, reports from the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation, and a briefing on mental wellness initiatives like Project 11, set to be piloted at Forest View.