The primary focus of the meeting was the formation of an educational task force and focus groups, which the board emphasized as crucial for addressing the district’s needs. Detailed discussions were held regarding the logistics, composition, and timeline for these groups. Board members highlighted the importance of getting diverse representation, including parents, educators, and community stakeholders, to ensure comprehensive input into the planning process.

Members expressed concerns about the financial implications of adding more meetings, emphasizing the need for cost containment. There was a debate on whether to conduct site visits physically or virtually, with some members advocating for virtual tours to save time and expenses. They specifically mentioned a recent remodeling project at Braider as a potential case study that could be reviewed virtually.

The timeline for the task force’s initial meetings was discussed, with a recommendation to complete the final recommendations by January 15th. The board acknowledged the necessity of a clear and detailed application process to ensure committed participation from potential task force members. They also emphasized the importance of community communication, referencing a model from another organization that provided detailed public minutes.

Scheduling was a point of discussion, with members considering potential conflicts with community events and other obligations. There was a consensus that Mondays might be the best day for meetings, given other community activities. Additionally, the importance of engaging educational staff was highlighted, with the board debating whether to have an application process or seek volunteers for staff participation in focus groups.

The board resolved to prepare a preliminary email to inform staff about the upcoming opportunities for involvement in the task force and focus groups. The members agreed that including staff in both the focus groups and task force discussions would enrich the conversations and ensure practical insights were incorporated into the planning process.

In other updates, the board approved a modified nursing agreement with Lake Region Healthcare and a collaborative agreement with West Central Minnesota Community Action (WCMCA) Head Start for the North Elementary. Both motions carried unanimously.

The board also discussed the 2023-2025 buildings and grounds director contract. Concerns were raised over not having the contract available for review, leading to a decision to table the item until the next business meeting on the 21st. The proposed contract included a standard 3% pay increase for each fiscal year, with an additional 3% based on meeting specific goals.

Pre-referendum planning was another key topic, with members receiving preliminary documents and a space utilization study scheduled for submission by September 13th. The board discussed forming a task force and educational focus group to involve educators, parents, and other stakeholders in the planning process. They emphasized the need for a diverse representation that included multiple parent representatives from each school and community, as well as law enforcement.

Financial updates were provided, noting adjustments due to new revenue codes, including the Capital Levy. Revenue collected thus far totaled $3,357, lower than the previous year’s $2,848,336 due to a prior staff member’s decision to recognize tax revenue early in July. The current financial situation reflects usual challenges in July, characterized by minimal revenue due to timing issues with state aid payments.

Staffing updates included ongoing adjustments in elementary paraprofessional staff and enrollment figures, revealing a total of approximately 725 students compared to last year’s count. Transportation issues were highlighted, particularly regarding bus routes and the associated costs, with discussions on the feasibility of continuing late bus services due to low ridership.

Federal Title applications totaling $181,000 were submitted to support various programs, including Title I, Title II, and Title IV. The summer levy was mentioned, with ongoing work needed to finalize student enrollment numbers that would impact funding. The preliminary levy was likely to be set at the maximum allowed, with a final decision during the Truth in Taxation meeting in December.

The board also addressed policy reviews, including changes to superintendent contracts, administrator ethics, and employee rights. Personal items included the hiring of a paraprofessional and contract adjustments for existing staff. A motion was made to approve the posting for a part-time district office administrative assistant position to improve district communication and support for administrative tasks.