School safety was a major focus of the meeting, featuring presentations on crisis response protocols. Presenters introduced materials related to emergency and crisis procedures, emphasizing five key actions from the standard response protocol: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, and shelter. These protocols are designed to bridge the gap between school safety measures and first responder actions during critical incidents. The board highlighted the adoption of these protocols as a proactive measure, drawing lessons from past incidents and ensuring a comprehensive safety framework is in place.

Discussions emphasized the importance of empowering students and staff to act as their own first responders, advocating for a shift from directive responses to situational awareness and individual decision-making. Anecdotes were shared illustrating the effectiveness of these protocols, including a past incident where students successfully evacuated from a dangerous situation. The necessity for robust reunification processes post-crisis was also underscored.

The final amended budget projected a fund balance increase, but actual figures revealed an even higher surplus, attributed to conservative budgeting and higher-than-expected revenues. Detailed presentations provided insights into financial trends, noting a decrease in total revenues due to the expiration of federal COVID funds, despite compensating increases in state revenues.

Expenditures were primarily driven by salaries and benefits, particularly in special education. The board noted a decrease in capital outlay expenditures compared to previous years, with an expectation that trends will normalize in subsequent years. The food service fund and community service fund both reported healthy balances, bolstered by increased participation in programs and a surplus in community service revenues.

In addition to financial and safety discussions, the board recognized contributions from educators and community members. Teachers running the Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD) programs at the elementary level were acknowledged for their impactful contributions, fostering a thriving environment for students.

The meeting also featured updates on community education programs, including early childhood education, Mustang care, and driver’s education. Enrollment figures and new class offerings were shared. The introduction of new classes, such as youth tackle football and cooking, was noted, alongside high enrollment figures in early childhood programs.

Contributions to the school were acknowledged, including donations from local organizations for various initiatives. A cooperative agreement for girls’ swimming and diving received unanimous approval, and a new superintendent’s contract was discussed and approved despite some opposition. Administrative policy updates were also approved, including a policy on animals in school buildings.

The student board report highlighted extracurricular activities and community engagement, including a successful babysitting night, a blood drive, and an upcoming holiday drive. The board received updates on health insurance and Minnesota paid leave preparations, with anticipated increases in health insurance costs being lower than expected.