Action of the School Board 09.25.23

September 25, 2023

Avrie Siedschlag, a seventh grade student at Coon Rapids Middle School, was selected as the overall winner of the 2022-23 National School Bus Safety Poster Contest, an initiative sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT). Posters were submitted from 22 states and Avrie’s poster will be showcased during this year’s National School Bus Safety Week, October 16 -20, 2023.

Louise Sivanch, school bus paraeducator, was recognized for receiving the Minnesota Special Education Transportation Award for 2023 from the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT). Amy Tiedens, MAPT board member presented the award on behalf of the organization. Sivanach served Anoka-Hennepin Schools for 23 years.

View the recognition photos.

The School Board received testimony from Kathy Johnson, Andy Schwen, Brian Newcomer, Sarah Kaminski, and Stan Osmundson.

Michelle Trelstad, executive director community education and government relations presented a resolution appointing election judges for the upcoming election to the School Board which was approved with an unanimous vote.

Anoka-Hennepin Schools has conducted an annual community survey with Morris Leatherman for over 20 years. This level of commitment for feedback allows the School Board to track data over time, monitor trends in the community, and adjust district operations to meet community expectations. Peter Leatherman presented findings and analysis from the 2023 community survey in which 500 randomly selected residents from all areas of the district were contacted via phone during the month of May 2023.

Becky Brodeur, associate superintendent for middle schools and student services and Julia Messenger, assistant director of mental health and emotional wellness, provided an update on mental health services available to support district students.

Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, presented the preliminary tax certification for board approval. The action sets the maximum tax levy payable in 2024, an amount that will be reviewed and authorized at the December 11 School Board meeting following a public hearing. Vargas explained that the levy amounts are mainly guided through state funding formulas and voter approved levies. The recommended maximum tax levy amounts to a 3% increase. It will be forwarded to Anoka County and Hennepin County to establish draft tax statements which will be mailed to property owners in November. The resolution was approved on a unanimous vote by the School Board.

Tim Palmatier, general counsel, provided a first read of Policy 506.0 District Student Discipline policy and Policy 413.0 Harassment, Violence and Discrimination policy. The policies were developed and presented for consideration by the School Board Policy Committee. The board will consider additional community feedback prior to considering approval at a future meeting.

1. Minutes from August 21, 2023 School Board work session.
2. Retirements, resignations, terminations, layoffs and recalls, leaves and modified leaves of absence, and appointments.
3. Cash disbursements report.
4. Cash balance report.
5. Donations and scholarships report.
6. Monthly revenue and expenditures.
7. Homework starts with home proposal

School Board work session, October 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Services Center, 2727 N. Ferry St., Anoka.

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