Action of the School Board 11.27.23

November 27, 2023

The School Board received testimony from Aaron Peterson.

Kristie Thorson, Community Education communications coordinator, and Thomas Hunt, Anoka County elections manager, presented updated School Board election results. Results for the District 2 race were updated following a recount and the action to approve or canvas the election results is necessary to confirm accurate information regarding the School Board election on Nov. 7, 2023.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board established a strategic priority for the 2023-24 school year to conduct a demographic study of future student populations. The work included five and 10-year projections at the district and school level based on a “best practices” approach used across the metro area. School demography consultant Hazel Reinhardt presented the results of a thorough review of enrollment projections over the next five and 10-year periods. Reinhardt served as the State of Minnesota demographer and has extensive experience regarding enrollment projections. The data will be used by the School Board to guide future planning decisions.

Watch the presentation.

All policies will receive two opportunities for review by the School Board and also allow time for community feedback prior to approval.

Tim Palmatier, general counsel, provided a first read of Policy 213.0 which provides guidance on School Board advisory committees and administrative advisory groups. After significant discussion, the School Board determined that additional review was necessary prior to approval.

Greg Cole, chief operations officer; B.J. Ison, director of transportation provided a first read of Policy 707.0 Transportation policy and associated policies including: 708.0 - Transportation of Nonpublic School Students policy, 709.0 - Student Transportation Safety policy, 710.0 - Extracurricular Transportation policy and 711.0 - Video Recording on School Bus policy. The review follows discussion included during recent boundary adjustments and how the impact of these policies intersects with that process.

Greg Cole, chief operations officer provided a first read of Policy 806.1 Crisis Management policy. This is an update of a current district policy which is required by state law.

Dr. Jennifer Cherry, executive director of human resources, and Todd Mensink, director of labor relations and benefits, provided the School Board with an update on the status of negotiations for employee groups consistent with Board Policy 209, Negotiations Code of Ethics. Dr. Cherry provided an overview of the status of negotiations with the district’s 14 bargaining groups and five policy groups. This was an informational update and no action was required.

Watch the presentation.

The School Board held a closed session to deal with matters of labor negotiations, in accordance with Minnesota State Law 13D.03 sub 1.

All items on the consent agenda were approved on a unanimous vote with the exception of item 7. That item was considered on a separate motion and was approved on a 4-2 vote with Simon and Audette voting no.

1. Minutes from November 13, 2023 School Board meeting.
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 scholarship reports.
6. Monthly revenue and expenditures.
7. Policy 413.0 Harassment, Violence and Discrimination policy.
8. Policy 506.0 District Student Discipline policy.
9. Policy 419.0 Tobacco and Smoke Free Environment policy.
10. Policy 533.5 Physical Wellness policy.
11. Bid #24009B-Hamilton Elementary School HVAC and deferred maintenance -phase 4.
12. Bid #24018B-Dayton Elementary School remodeling and deferred maintenance - phase 2.
13. Immunization exclusions as required by Statute 121a.15.

Regular School Board meeting, December 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sandburg Educational Center, 1902 2nd Avenue, Anoka.

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