A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing the potential adoption of a four-day school week. Superintendent Chris Lindholm introduced the idea, noting that the state of Minnesota is currently accepting applications from districts interested in this model. Lindholm cited improved attendance rates and appeal to both students and staff as potential benefits, referencing Carlton’s successful implementation of a four-day week. He emphasized that the proposal was still in its early stages and no decisions had been made. Concerns were raised about potential childcare issues, particularly for elementary school students, if the four-day week were adopted. The superintendent acknowledged these concerns and noted that the discussion was meant to gauge interest and start a conversation for future consideration.

Contract negotiations were another focal point of the meeting. The board approved a new contract for the Teamsters union, covering bus drivers and maintenance staff, which includes a 4% wage increase for the first year and a 2% increase for the second year. The contract also introduced a $1,000 match for 43b contributions and increased health insurance benefits to align with those of teachers. Additionally, the incentive for becoming a certified bus driver was doubled from 50 cents to a dollar per hour. The contract addressed previous grievances related to attendance language, clarified PTO payouts to be calculated in hours rather than days, and established clearer guidelines regarding paid time off, school closures, and catastrophic leave.

The board also approved a contract for paraprofessionals, which included a similar pay structure improvement and health insurance contributions. Katherine Meyer, a relatively new bus driver, was acknowledged for her role in negotiating these terms. The board expressed gratitude to the unions involved, recognizing the importance of having all contracts settled as they approach a referendum period.

The principal’s report, delivered by Mr. Balan, outlined several upcoming activities and preparations for the new school year. Five new teachers are set to begin onboarding at Sou Elementary, focusing on school policies, practices, and curriculum development. A kindergarten playdate is planned to allow incoming families to meet each other, and an open house night is scheduled for August 28. Concerns were raised about the previous year’s bottleneck during orientation, leading to a reevaluation of the process. Kindergarten enrollment currently stands at 15 students, prompting the decision to combine classes, with Miss Misso confirmed as the kindergarten teacher for the year.

The superintendent’s report followed, with Lindholm expressing gratitude for the efforts of the building and grounds crew, who had been moving equipment and painting classrooms over the summer. Contractors had also been working in the tech shop to ensure compliance for small engine operations, with completion expected before the start of workshops.

An upcoming event on August 27 was announced, featuring Aaron Walsh from Spark and Stitch, who will provide education for parents and educators on managing children’s screen time and its effects on brain development. The event includes a community meal followed by a presentation, with childcare provided by the YMCA to ensure a screen-free environment for the kids. This initiative, supported by a public health grant, aims to address concerns parents have expressed regarding screen time.

The board also discussed a survey about cell phone use in schools, revealing mixed feelings among high school students about having their phones accessible during school hours. Some students expressed a desire for phones to be put away entirely, while others pointed out the difficulty in balancing accessibility with engagement in classroom activities. It was noted that teachers have varying policies regarding phone use, contributing to inconsistency in enforcement. Recent law changes require districts to establish a cell phone policy, and the current policy states that phones should be away during class unless explicitly permitted by the teacher for educational purposes.

Personnel matters were also discussed, with new hires, resignations, and leave of absence requests being addressed. Notably, Amanda Beal’s leave of absence will be covered by several English teachers, including a retired teacher returning to assist. The board expressed appreciation for the new hires, highlighting the positive trend of hiring more staff than resigning.