The meeting opened with a presentation on significant donations received by the district. Contributions included funds from the Pain Church for playground equipment and a $20 donation from Casey Cas’s General TH Rewards program. These funds are critical for supplementing the district’s resources and providing for various needs within the schools.

The discussion then transitioned to student enrollment trends, which have shown a decline from 913 students at the start of the school year to 904 by the end. This decrease was attributed to a higher graduation rate relative to new enrollments and had been anticipated in prior budget discussions. The visual representation of enrollment changes underscored the need for strategic planning in addressing these fluctuations. Additionally, the report highlighted open enrollment trends, including some students moving to online programs and others transferring to the Eden Valley School District. This prompted a suggestion to conduct outreach to understand the reasons behind this trend and explore ways to encourage families to return to Paynesville schools. The board recognized the importance of systematic exit surveys to gather feedback from families leaving the district, although previous efforts had not been consistent.

Attention then turned to the preliminary budget for the upcoming school year. The board confirmed that no changes had been made since the last presentation, and a motion to approve the budget passed without further discussion. The board also reviewed membership contracts with various educational organizations. The renewal of the Minnesota Rural Education Association was described as routine but emphasized the organization’s importance in providing policy guidance. The Schools for Equity in Education (SAFE) membership was also discussed, with concerns raised about the organization’s stability following the retirement of its executive director and chief lobbyist, Brad. The board expressed a need to monitor SAFE’s evolution, particularly as new leadership is expected to join by late July or early August. SAFE’s role in advocating for funding equity, especially for property-poor districts, was highlighted as critical, with an intention to reassess membership in the coming year.

The board also considered the Resource Training and Solutions (RTS) membership, which was described as an essential resource for district assessment coordination and safety resources. This membership is particularly valuable for advocacy efforts important to supporting small districts. Board members agreed on the importance of maintaining this membership. Additionally, the renewal of the Minnesota State High School League membership was straightforward, with no changes reported. Updates were made to reflect current roles within the district, and the motion to approve the renewal passed unanimously.

The board then moved on to discuss the custodial master agreement for 2023-2025. Following a final negotiation session in May, a tentative agreement was reached, aligning with other district contracts. The board approved the agreement without opposition. The subsequent topic was the food service bid for dairy and bakery products, with a recommendation for a split bid based on price differentials and logistical considerations. The elementary school will continue using cartons, while the secondary school will utilize bags. Concerns were raised about the stability of kindergarten students carrying trays and the efficiency of service during lunch. The board acknowledged these concerns and emphasized the need to maintain the current system for the time being. There was openness to trialing new options in the future, with a cautious approach to how changes might affect the elementary school experience. The board approved the food service bid as presented.