South Saint Paul School Board Boosts Community Meal Programs and Approves Comprehensive Budget
- Meeting Overview:
The South Saint Paul School Board meeting covered developments, including the approval of the 2025-2026 budget, expansion of community meal programs, and strategic planning initiatives. The board’s discussions focused on addressing the needs of the district’s students and families while planning for the future amidst demographic and financial challenges.
19:04A key highlight of the meeting was the announcement of expanded community meal programs, aimed at providing free meals to children throughout the summer. The district has partnered with Open Door to offer breakfast and lunch to children aged 1-18 at various locations, including Lincoln Center and other community sites. Mobile meal services are also being implemented to reach children in parks and other areas, with a promotional campaign encouraging families to text “banana” for updates on meal locations. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that all children have access to nutritious meals, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Complementing these meal programs is the state’s Sun Bucks initiative, which provides eligible families with up to $120 per student based on their children’s qualification for free or reduced-price lunch. The board emphasized the importance of these programs in supporting the community’s needs, especially during the summer months when regular school meals are unavailable.
24:27The board also focused on the district’s strategic plan, including a branding refresh to align with its new mission, vision, and core values. The refresh intends to ensure compliance with ADA standards and accurately reflect the district’s goals.
37:54A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the approval of the 2025-2026 budget. The finance director presented a detailed overview of the budget process, highlighting the complexities of planning for various funds designated for specific expenditures such as operating costs, food services, community services, and debt service obligations. The budget process involves multiple phases of review and adjustment, starting with enrollment projections and expenditure evaluations.
38:29The finance manager forecasted a continued decrease in enrollment over the next few years, attributed to declining birth rates, a challenge faced by many districts. Despite this, a modest increase in state funding was noted, with a 2.74% rise translating to approximately $200 more per pupil compared to the previous year. This funding is tied to inflation, with a minimum increase of 2% and a maximum of 3%, emphasizing the need for cautious financial forecasting as past federal relief funding from COVID is no longer available.
46:09The board discussed various expenditure considerations, including transportation costs and potential weather-related budget strains. The implementation of a paid family leave act, expected to cost the district approximately $135,000 for the full year, was also a topic of concern. Despite these challenges, the district’s fund balance policy remains strong, exceeding the 8% threshold, positioning the district favorably compared to others.
The approval of the budget proposal was met with support from board members, recognizing its importance in providing a financial framework for the district. Director Weber commended the finance manager for his clarity and thoroughness in presenting the budget, highlighting the collaborative effort between the community and the district in advocating for compensatory revenue.
In addition to budgetary matters, the meeting addressed the importance of aligning district efforts with core values such as respect, pride, collaboration, integrity, resilience, and equity. A framework known as PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act) was introduced to facilitate rapid cycles of improvement and progress monitoring. This systematic approach aims to define success, establish accountability, and move away from traditional lagging data, allowing for regular check-ins and adjustments based on real-time data.
33:03The board also celebrated student experiences and community involvement, with discussions highlighting the significance of community and relationships in the school environment. Members expressed appreciation for the graduating class’s contributions and the support of families and staff over the years.
56:39The meeting concluded with plans for a special work session scheduled for July 30th to align the board’s evaluation tools with the strategic plan. The session seeks to facilitate ongoing planning and alignment efforts.
Brian Zambreno
School Board Officials:
Kim Humann (Chair), Anne Claflin (Vice Chair), Paul Cumings (Treasurer), Wendy Felton (Clerk), Ryan Duffy, Tim Felton, Monica Weber, Amal Fickak, Jackson Schultz
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
06/23/2025
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Recording Published:
06/24/2025
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Duration:
75 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Minnesota
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County:
Dakota County
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Towns:
South St. Paul
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