Bismarck School Board Replay 12/9/24 (VIO4 A)

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[0:05] Good evening, I'm Danny Skate President of the Bismarck School Board. It's 515 on Monday, December 9th. I call this meeting to order.
[0:12] Welcome and thank you for joining us both here and also online. You can find our agenda and follow along on the School Board tab at BismarckSchools.org.
[0:20] Mr. Sherwood, you call the roll, please. Mr. Eastgate? Here. Mr. Hager? Here. Mr. Lee? Here. Mr. Petersen? Here. Mr. President.
[0:29] members of President Accountant for Dr. Johnson,
[0:31] which you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance.
[0:56] At a one-see the BPS mission vision and values,
[0:58] the BPS mission is to empower every learner to thrive.
[1:02] The BPS vision states, together our strong relationships
[1:04] build inclusive, collaborative, and innovative environments
[1:07] that create agency and inspire a passion
[1:09] for learning, excellence, and discovery.
[1:12] The BPS values are inclusion, excellence, innovation,
[1:14] and leadership.
[1:16] You can also find a link in the agenda
[1:17] to the BPS strategic plan.
[1:19] Item two is to adopt the agenda
[1:21] one of the wishes of the board. Mr. Hager.
[1:23] I moved it up the agenda.
[1:26] We have a motion in a second.
[1:28] Mr. Chair.
[1:29] Hager?
[1:30] Yes. Lee?
[1:30] Yes.
[1:31] Peterson?
[1:31] Yes.
[1:32] Brassky?
[1:33] Yes.
[1:33] He's Kate?
[1:34] Yes.
[1:34] Motion passes.
[1:37] Item 3 tonight is focused on success.
[1:40] We'll be looking at the fiscal year 24 financial audit
[1:43] and giving us the report and being with us tonight
[1:45] is Mindy Piaz, partner from Brady Mart's.
[1:48] Good evening.
[1:49] Good evening, board members.
[1:50] As Dan mentioned, I'm in DPS, partner at Brady Martz, and we'll be going over the audit
[1:56] results for Bismarck Public Schools for 2024.
[2:01] We'll go over the opinions that we issue.
[2:03] I have some brief financial highlights, and then I'll end with some items that I'm required
[2:08] to communicate upon completion of the audit.
[2:12] So first off, regarding our audit opinion, the overall objective of the audit is to express
[2:18] an opinion on the financials whether they are materially correct in accordance with GAP or generally
[2:23] accepted accounting principles. Our audit is designed to obtain reasonable but not absolute assurance
[2:29] about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and then lastly we do
[2:34] have some guidelines that we are required to follow as part of performing our audit and those are listed
[2:39] there around the screen. So overall on the financial statements we are expressing an unmodified audit
[2:47] opinion, which is a highest level of assurance that we can provide over the financials,
[2:52] meaning they are materially in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or the
[2:56] full accrual basis of accounting. In addition, we also perform our audit in accordance with government
[3:02] auditing standards and we're required to review internal controls over financial reporting
[3:08] and test compliance. Again, we are issuing an unmodified opinion. There were no findings on this
[3:16] reports, so again, it's a clean opinion.
[3:19] And then the last report we issue for our audit
[3:22] is performing what's called a single audit.
[3:24] This is an audit of compliance with the federal grants.
[3:28] And so the fourth grants that we tested this year
[3:31] were the Child Nutrition cluster,
[3:33] improving teacher, quality state grants,
[3:35] state and local cybersecurity grant program, entitled one.
[3:39] We issued an unmodified opinion, meaning that, based on our testing,
[3:43] we found that the district was in compliance
[3:45] with the Federal Compliance Requirements.
[3:48] However, we did have one finding that we did note, and that was over the Child Nutrition
[3:53] cluster.
[3:55] The finding related to, as part of the Federal grant, you're required to submit monthly
[4:01] counts of lunches and meals to the state and the district change software this past year,
[4:08] and they were not aware that they had to lock down the reports within their software,
[4:12] so as students were coming and going, those changes were being made in the systems so they couldn't
[4:17] recreate the accounts reported on the actual reports that we were required to test.
[4:23] The district did agree with the finding and as soon as we brought to their attention,
[4:28] took immediate action to get that corrected. If you want to see the full details of that,
[4:34] I would just note that it's on page 75 of the full audited financials, which I believe are linked
[4:39] in the side show. Moving on to some financial highlights, overall for the year as of June 30,
[4:48] 2024 compared to 2023, cash and investments totaled about 18.5 million. I would just know that
[4:55] this is about 3.5 million less than last year and you can see the breakout by each each fund
[5:03] is noted on the screen. Looking at revenues and expenses by fund, I'll just focus on the
[5:09] general fund, overall expenses were around 206.8 million and that was offset by 207 million
[5:18] of revenue, so there was a slight increase of about 547,000 to the general fund balances here.
[5:25] And then just noting the non-major funds, those include the student activities, the CRACTC,
[5:33] food service, Korea, and the debt service funds, and there's full detailed information
[5:39] of each of those funds in the financial statements.
[5:43] Looking at total expenditures for the general funds, so overall for the year total expenditures
[5:48] were 206.8 million.
[5:51] This represents about 12.8% of the general fund fund balance or that residual equity that's in the general fund.
[5:59] The school district does have a policy of maintaining at least a minimum of 10%.
[6:04] Of expenditures and recurring transfers as their policy for guidelines for how much to keep in that fund balance and not spending it too low.
[6:12] And so there's just slightly above that 10 percent at 12.8 percent this year.
[6:18] So I know that's something that they do monitor and just noting that you're in compliance with your policy.
[6:24] Overall, regular instruction was the highest expense at 109 million representing about 53 percent of the total expenditures.
[6:34] Followed by special education at 40.5 million or 20 percent.
[6:39] and then operations and maintenance at 16 million or 8% of total expenditures.
[6:46] Moving on to the fund balance by each fund so you can see the general fund ended at just
[6:53] slightly above 16 million at year and as of June 30th.
[6:58] The building fund actually has a deficit of 10.8 million as of June 30th and then the
[7:09] Those are different colors because that money is either restricted by third party or it's been assigned for a specific use by what the fund was created for by management.
[7:23] Last item to look at on the highlights is just future debt payments and obligations of the district so as of June.
[7:30] 30, if you can see that the total outstanding debt for the district general obligation bonds were around 98 million, and then notes payable of a 26.9 million, followed by special assessments of 1.9 million.
[7:43] And then the table on the right just shows the total principle and interest payments going out towards the future.
[7:50] They don't actually increase at the towards the right. That's just multiple years being combined as that's how it's presented in the notes to the financial statements.
[7:59] Then looking at the budget versus actual for the general fund, so overall revenues came in under budget at 5.2 million, and then total expenditures were also under budget by 7 million.
[8:13] So with that reduced revenue, the district offset and reduce their expenses in order to maintain that balance budget.
[8:23] And then lastly, as part of our professional standards we are required to go over some items with the board upon completion of the audit,
[8:32] just noting that there are estimates made to the financial statements.
[8:36] And so we do look at those estimates as that's really where an area is subject to management manipulation and potential for fraud.
[8:44] I would just note there were no sensitive estimates that really take a lot of objectivity when we're looking at it,
[8:50] But if there were, we would be looking at those as part of the audit.
[8:53] We also were not aware of any kind of unusual transactions.
[8:57] Nor did we have any difficulties or disagreements conducting the audit.
[9:02] We also had no corrected misstatements.
[9:04] So no material journal entries were proposed as part of our testing.
[9:09] As part of our audit, we did request a representation letter for management.
[9:13] Basically, them stating that they've given us full access to all the information and that everything's properly recorded.
[9:19] And then we're also not aware that they've consulted with another accountant or auditor regarding our audit opinion or an accounting policy.
[9:30] And then the last item to go over, just noting that we did issue a separate letter, what's called a management letter.
[9:36] So this is an item that doesn't rise to the level of being a finding.
[9:40] However, it's an area for improvement.
[9:42] The item related to during our expenditure testing, we noted that the overtime for an employee
[9:49] was not charged the same way that that employee's time was charged.
[9:53] That employee had works on a federal grant, and so her time was charged to a federal grant
[9:59] in talking with the accounting staff, it's not often that there's overtime by the employees,
[10:06] and so it's a manual procedure that they have to do on their end to reallocate that overtime time.
[10:11] And so overall the grant was under charged, so they could have charged additional time to the grant, but the grant was under charged, but just letting everybody know that there was an error and that they're looking at corrections to mitigate that.
[10:28] And then just putting my contact information if you have questions or anybody watching has questions, it's on the screen.
[10:34] With that, I'd just like to thank Mr. Cher and the Finance Department, I know the accounting department does a lot of work preparing for the audit and getting ready during the audit with all our requests and we certainly appreciate that.
[10:48] Any questions?
[10:50] Thanks very much, Ms. Piaz, both for the whole audit report and coming tonight to the meeting.
[10:55] Board members, questions, board members, really?
[10:57] Thank you, President Easkate.
[10:59] Mr. Piaz, thank you.
[11:00] I really like the format.
[11:01] Is that a little different than we've seen in years past?
[11:04] I know the information is probably the same, but.
[11:07] Mr. Lee, I think it's an evolution of multiple presentations that I give throughout the
[11:12] year.
[11:13] I believe the financial information that I've went over is similar to what we've presented
[11:17] in maybe in prior years, but.
[11:19] Yeah. Thank you very much. No, but I look great. And thank you for the work. Yeah. Mr. Hager. Thanks, President Eastgate.
[11:26] Ms. P. That's I had a question kind of going through through the audit. You know, last year we had a couple of significant deficiencies that were addressed right away.
[11:34] I noticed that you you tested them again. Do you do that again? Next year is there a certain amount of time that you you test those four before you stop kind of looking for those things.
[11:44] Yeah, Mr. Hager and members of the school board.
[11:47] So we are required to look at prior your findings and make sure that there's been correct
[11:52] of action taken.
[11:54] If there would not have been correct of action taken, then we would still repeat those until
[11:59] that correct of action was taken.
[12:01] So I'm thank you for bringing that up, but yeah, the findings last year were corrected and
[12:05] remedied.
[12:06] And we did look at that as part of our audit procedures.
[12:12] Board members, any further questions at all?
[12:16] Seeing none, Ms. Piaz, thanks again so much for your report.
[12:18] And we put it underneath the focus on success tonight.
[12:21] And when you see that the highest level of assurance,
[12:23] the CPA firm can provide was given at all levels.
[12:27] We certainly consider that a success.
[12:28] So thank you.
[12:29] Thank you.
[12:35] Moving on the agenda to item four, it's public comment.
[12:38] The board recognized the central role parents
[12:40] playing in the education of their children and support
[12:42] active parent involvement in the educational process.
[12:45] The board's practice of public comment
[12:46] reflects in the lines with policy BCBA in the spirit of its intent.
[12:49] For classroom issues, it's best to follow the chain of command.
[12:52] First to the teacher, then the principal, then the assistant superintendent, and ultimately to the superintendent.
[12:57] For district wide issues, please reach out to Dr. Fauston.
[13:00] If you do speak tonight, we simply ask that you be responsible to be helpful and be respectful.
[13:04] Our BPS students deserve to have adults, model the expectations that we have for them.
[13:08] Groups are just like one spokesperson.
[13:10] Individuals will be limited to no more than four minutes.
[13:12] So we'll be notified of 30 seconds remaining to conclude the remarks.
[13:15] The board will not debate issues as presented. We'll take such matters under advisement.
[13:19] With that, please stand in the approach to podium if you'd like to speak tonight.
[13:26] Public comment will now be closed.
[13:28] Item five, monitor district operations.
[13:33] And I believe we're going to be going to item five eight, OE six financial administration.
[13:39] Mr. Darench here.
[13:44] Thank you, President Eastgate.
[13:45] Members, the board.
[13:47] Just to maybe make a few comments on the audit.
[13:50] I really do feel like Bismarck Public Schools is blessed
[13:54] probably the best accounting team in the state for school districts, their business
[14:00] manager is mediocre but the team is like superior and I can't thank them enough
[14:05] for the work that they do every day to make sure that we're in compliance. As you
[14:11] know, once in a while we find things that are a surprise to us and we fix them as
[14:15] soon as possible. In regards to OE6, good news is we are recommending that all
[14:23] areas are in compliance. I actually don't have any areas that I would point out other than
[14:30] this is ending for last fiscal years. You know, we did a, we did a balanced budget this year.
[14:36] You won't see that until next year. So that's all I had on this and I'd answer any questions
[14:41] a board would have related to OE6. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Board members, any questions?
[14:53] Seeing
[14:53] None. How's the board find us on OE6 financial administration?
[15:00] Mr. Lee. Thank you, President. I'm moved that we approve over six financial administration as in compliance has presented.
[15:11] I'll second.
[15:12] We have a motion in a second. Any further discussion?
[15:17] Mr. Chair, the roll please.
[15:19] Lee? Yes.
[15:20] Peterson? Yes.
[15:21] Preskey? Yes.
[15:23] He's gay.
[15:24] Yes.
[15:25] Motion passes.
[15:26] In Mr. Chair, we do appreciate the entire county department and also your work as well, sir.
[15:31] So the debricating humor is appreciated,
[15:34] but we do appreciate all the hard work you do for the district.
[15:37] Item 5B, the GC6 annual work plan.
[15:41] We'll have a public reading, and then the board.
[15:44] Dr. Johnson may have any notes on that as well.
[15:48] I would just say that this is a work plan.
[15:51] Again, related to our governance culture,
[15:53] and we'd ask the Board to consider retaining or amending
[15:57] the work plan as stated as a work plan.
[16:00] You might see, for example, we had talked about making a legislative connection with the
[16:05] breakfast in January.
[16:07] Well, many, I think everyone here participated in that already last month and so again,
[16:12] this is a plan that gives us a rough roadmap.
[16:15] Some of that are just based upon our opportunity to collaborate with our fellow legislators
[16:23] or where you as a board feels needed.
[16:25] So again, I think that it's been a good document to have clarity of the big picture, but
[16:30] again knowing that some of those pieces move at times.
[16:34] Thank you, Dr. Johnson.
[16:35] Here's the public reading for GC6 Annual Work Plan.
[16:38] The board will follow an annual work plan that includes continual monitoring and review
[16:41] of all policies, dialogue sessions with ownership groups and activities to improve board performance.
[16:48] Number one, the annual planning cycle and each year in November to allow the superintendent
[16:51] to properly align internal operational systems and processes.
[16:55] Number two, the board's annual work plan for the next year will include a scheduled
[16:59] dialogue sessions with ownership groups and persons whose viewpoints are considered helpful
[17:03] to the board.
[17:05] B, governance process and proven activities, including orientation and training of candidates
[17:09] and new board members in the board's governance process.
[17:13] And other discussions by the board about means to improve its own performance, especially
[17:16] board member knowledge and skills.
[17:18] C, scheduled monitoring of all policies, and D, other events and activities that are part
[17:23] of the board's responsibilities and interest.
[17:26] And anybody can see that we do have the any work plan attached.
[17:34] Or members any discussion?
[17:38] Mr. Lee.
[17:39] Thank you President Eastgate.
[17:42] You know this is one of those documents that when we were implementing coherent governance
[17:46] that just just made sense.
[17:48] It really details.
[17:50] Not just how we do our work but when we do our work.
[17:53] So I think it's really at the heart of our governance model.
[17:57] And I would make a motion to retain GC6, the annual work plan.
[18:05] All second.
[18:06] We have motion in a second and any further discussion.
[18:10] Seeing none, Mr. Chair.
[18:11] Peterson?
[18:12] Yes.
[18:13] Preskey? Yes.
[18:14] Hager? Yes. We. Yes.
[18:16] Yes. Motion passes.
[18:18] And how's the board find our school board as in compliance or out of compliance?
[18:24] I would move that the board is in compliance for the GC6 annual work plan.
[18:30] Second, we have motion in a second, and you further discussion,
[18:35] seeing none, Mr. Sharer.
[18:37] Preskey? Yes.
[18:38] Yes.
[18:39] Yes.
[18:40] Peterson? Yes.
[18:41] Yes.
[18:43] Motion passes.
[18:46] Moving on to item six on the agenda.
[18:48] Item six A is R2.1 academic achievement ELA.
[18:53] To Dr. Johnson.
[18:56] Yes.
[18:57] R21 President Eastgate members of the board, as you know,
[19:00] Our Learning Excellence Committee chaired with Amanda Peterson,
[19:03] board member, Peterson, has met and gave forward some recommendations regarding
[19:08] specifically changing ELA to a little bit broader of literacy and just really
[19:13] encompassing that literacy is present in many subject areas and experiences in that
[19:18] learning process. So with that, this is the second reading this. It was brought last time
[19:23] and we would recommend that you support the and adopt the final changes as red and
[19:30] and noted throughout the document that's attached.
[19:35] I'd send for any questions prior to that,
[19:37] or maybe you can,
[19:38] board member, Peter Sunwood as well.
[19:41] Board members, any questions?
[19:46] Mr. Lee?
[19:47] Thank you, President, he's good.
[19:49] More comment, I just view this as a good change.
[19:53] You know, and I think we said this last time,
[19:55] there's a lot of red on here,
[19:56] which kind of makes it a little bit intimidating
[19:57] when you're making changes to a policy,
[20:00] but really at the heart of it,
[20:01] it just makes sense about how we, how we conduct our business now, just using different assessments,
[20:08] how literacy makes sense to me. I think all the changes are well thought out,
[20:14] and just my comment is I support these changes.
[20:23] We're members any further discussion.
[20:26] If not, we would entertain a motion. I believe on this one tonight.
[20:30] Mr. Peterson.
[20:30] I would have moved that we approve the revised coherent governance results policy and supporting
[20:34] indicators for R-2-1 academic achievement ELA for second reading and final adoption.
[20:41] Second, we have motion to second any further discussion.
[20:45] Mr. Scher.
[20:46] Hey here. Yes. Lee. Yes. Peterson. Yes.
[20:50] Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Motion passes.
[20:54] Item 6B, Career Academy, Silver Ranch.
[20:59] Dr. Johnson.
[21:01] Mr. Chair may weigh in as well, but this request relates to an additional partition while
[21:08] in the industry partner room at the Career Academy Silver Ranch to save money that district
[21:14] is performing the installation outside of the construction project.
[21:18] However, we've received additional donations that cover the cost of this project.
[21:22] So, with the cost being around $76,880, we would recommend that you approve this as again,
[21:30] this is coming from a private donation, which I think just really exemplifies our continued work
[21:36] at public-private partnerships, as we're doing some amazing work and continue to expand the
[21:42] opportunities for our students in the region here regarding that, but I would ask Mr. Sheriff
[21:46] here as anything else that he'd like to comment. Now you covered it, I think. The biggest thing with
[21:52] The timing of this is it makes a lot of sense to do this now versus later
[21:56] So luckily all the stars aligned
[21:58] We did meet with board member Peterson and Hager on the process and we felt this was the best
[22:03] Process moving forward and just kind of for your information the two donations
[22:08] We received it was
[22:10] $100,000 so that more than covers this cost of the project
[22:15] Also that in the future you'll see one where we actually had a donation of
[22:20] carpet if you remember we didn't accept that alternative and some of it
[22:24] we're leaving us concrete because it makes sense it's a shop but there's
[22:29] some other areas like the
[22:30] Office in the industry training room that probably should have carpet, and we're able to secure a donation for that too.
[22:36] So you'll see that in the future, but timing wasn't as critical with that for a lead time on the item.
[22:44] Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[22:46] Board members, any questions for Dr. Johnson and Mr. Yelp?
[22:49] Yeah, thanks. President Eastgate. Not a question, but a comment in one of the things that for those in the public, if you, if you know what the rooms look like at the career academy,
[22:59] that have the partition in that multi-purpose room. You'll know that that room is used, I think,
[23:05] on the daily, with multiple, obviously the career Academy itself, but also the community utilizes
[23:12] that space. And so I envision too when we were having this conversation about a partition wall,
[23:17] I mean it just makes sense because you're able to use that room for so many different purposes
[23:23] that go that span not only what is used by the facility itself in terms of the educational value,
[23:29] but also the community as a whole.
[23:31] So I just thought that it was a no-brainer
[23:34] to make sure that we make that room as multifunctional
[23:36] as possible.
[23:38] Thanks for that board member Peterson.
[23:41] Completely agree.
[23:42] It's a great space.
[23:43] And like you said, it's used constantly
[23:44] for a number of different uses.
[23:48] Board members, I'd entertain a motion.
[23:50] Mr. Hager?
[23:51] I would move to approve the career Academy Silver Ranch
[23:54] project for seventy six thousand eight hundred eighty-seven dollars.
[23:59] And a second.
[24:00] Oh, thank you.
[24:01] With motion a second.
[24:02] Any further discussion?
[24:03] I'm just going to say thank you to the donors.
[24:05] So, absolutely.
[24:08] Mr. Sheriff, we have a motion in a second on the floor.
[24:11] Lee?
[24:12] Yes.
[24:13] Peterson?
[24:13] Yes.
[24:14] The prosecutor?
[24:14] Yes.
[24:16] He's gay.
[24:16] Yes.
[24:18] Motion passes.
[24:19] Item six C. We have board member school of visit updates, and I know we do have a
[24:22] few tonight, so depending on who wants to go first, I see Mr.
[24:25] So he gets the bat lead off.
[24:27] Thanks, President.
[24:28] You know, this was coming, so I left the light on for that reason.
[24:32] Go first.
[24:32] I have a few that have piled up on me, but I'm only going to cover one tonight.
[24:37] So I'm going to cover Lincoln Elementary.
[24:40] So Lincoln Elementary's familiar to all of us.
[24:41] We were there.
[24:43] Earlier this year with the expansion and in addition that was put on to Lincoln.
[24:47] Kind of touring that.
[24:49] At the time when we were there, obviously kids weren't in class quite yet.
[24:54] So there's a lot of boxes stacked up in some of those rooms so I did have the opportunity to go down to those
[25:00] those rooms and see them actually functioning as classrooms.
[25:04] Miss Hertz, she mentioned that it's, it's really nice having the school now kind of right size in the past,
[25:12] you know, they had the portables out back and then they not having to have kids and portables,
[25:16] everybody's in the building and when you think about it, it is a big, it's a big school,
[25:20] you know, the largest elementary school in the state over 90 staff members in the building.
[25:25] So it's it's it's a big building, but it does definitely has this kind of this small town feel.
[25:30] So on the way down, to go visit, then the new wing ran into Officer Sauer, who said,
[25:37] he likes to stop by when when when time allows and kind of walks walks the halls and
[25:41] greets kids and he's a pretty popular character as a as a police officer.
[25:45] He told me he has stickers that are badge stickers, very popular with the kids.
[25:51] But he has to be careful because if he has a limited supply and he starts to give a couple
[25:55] out and he knows the kids are going to come run and he's going to run out real fast.
[25:59] So he's maybe a little stingy with his stickers at time.
[26:03] So as we toward the building, heard over and over again of how amazing the staff is down there
[26:12] and how they go and bummed me on this research just couldn't praise her staff enough.
[26:19] They talked about Erin, one of the custodians who when she picks up pencils as she's
[26:24] cleaning up she'll stick them in her hair and they were saying how the kids just get a kick out of
[26:28] it because that time she'll have over a dozen pencils sticking out of her hair and they said she
[26:32] kind of looks like a monster and they really get a kick out of it and one person I know
[26:37] all of us met when we did the tour originally was Anthony the head custodian you guys remember Anthony
[26:43] So this isn't going to come to as a surprise anybody, so they do a family dance at Lincoln. Anthony is the DJ.
[26:52] He apparently has a 90s jumpsuit. He wears with a gold chain while he DJs.
[26:57] And further, when I thought about it, did this in surprise me either.
[27:01] He's also the vice president of the PTO out at Lincoln.
[27:05] So we got to see Anthony again, always smiles.
[27:08] just always appears to be extremely happy to be there just a positive attitude. I can see how kids really gravitate to somebody like him. He's just just an exceptional guy.
[27:18] On the tour tour, we went through the kitchen. You think again, about the number of kids there and having to feed a lot of kids.
[27:27] So, I get to meet the head cook, Andre, who happens to be Alliance fans, who he's having an exceptional year.
[27:35] Mr. T, who is a Vikings fan that had some friendly banter as we were going through there.
[27:41] All in all, it was a great tour. It was fun to go back out. It was fun to see that.
[27:47] That addition, have some kids in it and seeing it, you know, function as, as we hoped it would.
[27:52] So, that's my link in visit.
[27:54] Thanks, Mr. Hager. Mr. Peterson.
[27:57] Thanks. I feel like we're going from our largest elementary school to one of our smallest
[28:02] I was, I had the opportunity to visit Dr. Ravenberg at Prairie Rose Elementary, you know,
[28:10] kind of down in that same same neck of the woods, but very different size of school. And you
[28:16] know, you talked about 90 staff. She actually has eight full-time staff and then a lot of different
[28:20] staff that I think just through our processes that we share a lot of staff between
[28:25] Perry Rose and perhaps, you know, maybe soul high, maybe I
[28:31] mentioned some connections with Grimzer with their instructional coaching staff. So I
[28:35] think that you guys have done a lot of really great work and making sure that
[28:40] that's kind of an efficient space with only 141 students currently at that day.
[28:47] But the person that greeted me right when I walked in and I really like the
[28:50] practice for those that are doing that. But a young fifth grader named Charlie greeted me and took
[28:56] me on to a school tour. And I've been out at Prairie Rose a couple of different times. I actually
[29:01] my my own children attended blast there. But I was limited to just their you know their gym space
[29:09] and you know and the outdoors. And that day that we went there was it was last week. I think it was
[29:15] Friday or Thursday or Friday and it was very very cold before a little heat, you know, heat
[29:20] wave this weekend but it was very cold and so and I came at lunch time and a lot of them
[29:24] were making the transition between recess and lunch and lots of rosy cheeks and and seeing
[29:30] just how those educators get those kids ready to go outside get some fresh air and then come back
[29:36] in. But Charlie was taking me around to the whole school. I mean we were able to complete that
[29:42] who are relatively quickly because there are just very few classrooms, and I thought that
[29:48] it was, you know, in each of the rooms it was either empty or we were seeing them coming
[29:52] just back inside and getting settled and just watching the teachers kind of play all
[29:57] of those different roles was great.
[30:01] When we got to the kindergarten classroom, it was kind of towards the end of the tour. And Mrs. Stoltz was there and reading them as they were kind of coming in. And that was a lovely classroom. You know, sometimes when we come in there on these visits, they may or may not know why we're there. But I was able to get my bucket filled because I had a lot of kids who just immediately came and gave me a huge hug. And just it was very, very sweet. But more importantly, I think what you feel like in a,
[30:30] school that that size is a sense of belonging. You could tell that all of the students feel
[30:35] welcome. They know each other. You know Dr. Remberg knows all of the kids by name. I mean,
[30:43] it's just a very intimate and fun environment to be a part of. So I really loved going into that
[30:49] kindergarten classroom where I could really get to see those kiddos. After that, we went back
[30:55] into the office and kind of just shared.
[30:57] And one of the other pieces that I think that Tabi does
[31:00] and that we've gotten to experience as a board
[31:03] is part of her portfolio is also to support
[31:06] a lot of the CTE efforts.
[31:08] And I know that in the various committees
[31:10] and things that we've been talking about
[31:12] and even with the strategic planning,
[31:14] we've definitely been talking about experiences
[31:16] such as like CTE for all authentic learning experiences
[31:19] for all.
[31:20] And I think that Tabi and her team kind of embody that
[31:25] of the places that are one of the rooms that we went to in the in the at Prairie Rose itself,
[31:31] was a makerspace room with lots of different opportunities for students to go into that room.
[31:37] And I mean there's a green screen in one corner, there's Lego wall over in the other corners.
[31:42] So just really utilizing a space in a very small school to be able to have that makerspace
[31:47] and those different experiences all the way down to the elementary level in terms of workforce development.
[31:53] And I think that that ended up being kind of some of the conversations that we were having as those just different opportunities that she's helped harness with some of the middle school work that she's been doing with the middle school experiences and authentic learning and really just bringing that all together.
[32:13] So all in all it was a really great visit. She highlighted and I've highlighted this in a couple of the and I've highlighted it because the principles themselves have highlighted.
[32:22] the level, the certification levels that they're doing for the high-reliable schools.
[32:27] And so Tabby emphasized that she was working at level two certification, which is kind of an instructional framework.
[32:34] And her team had really been putting a lot of work and effort into that instructional framework.
[32:40] And she really credits her team and that small school structure for that shared decision-making and that ability to kind of put it all together.
[32:47] So it was a great visit, it was great to be there per year rose, the students and the staff
[32:53] are excelling in all areas and it was just really really nice that I got to go visit and
[33:00] spend some time down in that neck of the woods.
[33:03] Thanks a lot, Mr. Peterson.
[33:05] And Mr. Lee, thank you President Eastgate, thank you for that report, Mr. Peterson.
[33:10] One thing I would say is Dr. Ravenberg has been invaluable as far as expanding our
[33:16] and writing grants. It's just been awesome. I mean, she is so in her wheelhouse and that stuff and I just want her and the district to know how much we appreciate her work and in CTE, it's been phenomenal.
[33:31] I had the pleasure of visiting some wild cats from Walker Middle School, which is home of the past two North Dakota teachers of the year back to back.
[33:40] First, Mr. Peterson, and this year Mr. Burgerhood. They're pretty proud of that and they should be incredible school.
[33:47] I was able to tour the building with Principal Esplend, a former North Sider. I grew up with her.
[33:54] She still looks like she's in high school and I look like I'm not. But it was fun to catch up with her.
[34:01] Who, of course, you know, she moved from an AP position at CHS into the principal position
[34:07] at Walker.
[34:08] I believe it's a second year, so that's on right.
[34:12] But I just asked her about the transition, and she felt it was very smooth and it
[34:17] helps that she began her career teaching in a middle school in Brooklyn, Center, Minnesota.
[34:22] Yeah, she just had nothing but good things to say.
[34:25] I visited on a Friday afternoon, and the halls were extremely quiet.
[34:29] It was almost eerie, and I'm like, am I in laughter?
[34:32] I mean, am I in any minute of school?
[34:34] It's, yeah, but it was, it was quiet until the bell rang.
[34:37] And the energy that was released at that point
[34:40] was absolutely phenomenal.
[34:43] I witnessed kids moving through the halls
[34:44] in a very orderly yet exuberant fashion.
[34:47] I mean, you would all be so proud
[34:48] because it was mass organized chaos.
[34:52] And I didn't, didn't see anything that was out of place.
[34:56] Kids were very, yeah, they were just great.
[34:59] It was, it was, it was fun to see.
[35:01] Principal Aspund is a very proud of their peer-to-peer program, how it's grown, and how it
[35:07] gives kids leadership opportunities.
[35:10] I think most of our buildings that have a peer-to-peer would say the same thing, but
[35:14] she's exceptionally proud of theirs.
[35:16] Also a source of pride is their growing, EL population, and Walker works hard at helping
[35:22] those students become part of the fabric of their school.
[35:25] She shared some data with me. I believe one of the teams had 152 kids on the team 53
[35:31] Where EL students 30% so the EL population is growing there and it does create some challenges
[35:41] But but it's pretty cool. I mean she she really
[35:45] feels their staff has embraced them and they do some really neat things. So one thing I saw on social media
[35:52] was how they explored differences and similarities between cultures.
[35:56] And I thought this was so cool, but there was a good example they put out
[35:59] with kids sharing and celebrating the processes, techniques and recipes for less
[36:05] and for tortillas, which is incredible, right?
[36:10] I mean, pretty close, you know, but very different products.
[36:14] And they had a lot of fun with that, and they took the finished products
[36:18] and compared and contrasted it to.
[36:19] But just one way that they weave some of the similarities and differences between cultures into their day, into their curriculum,
[36:27] which is cool.
[36:28] And that was, I believe, the sixth graders.
[36:30] And then she talked about the seventh graders, how they focus more on servant leadership.
[36:35] And when I was walking through, they were in the middle of reorganizing the lost and found.
[36:40] And if you've been in any of our schools, the lost and founds look like a bomb went off, right?
[36:44] And it did there, but it was really cool to see these seventh graders just sorting and hanging
[36:50] things up and making it look nice.
[36:53] It's pretty cool.
[36:54] So it's all part of that servant leadership.
[36:57] And they do many other things like wiping down tables and identifying needs in the community
[37:01] and filling those gaps.
[37:03] I think at one point they were part of the backpack program or backing meals for kids
[37:09] and just a lot of cool things, so a lot of new things going on there.
[37:15] Principal Esplan has a young tech department as she put it, which is working with
[37:20] fellow teachers to provide new opportunities to students through collaboration and
[37:25] ingenuity, and she was really excited about some of these teachers.
[37:30] Taking things to the next level, and the layout of the building as we were walking through, you can tell us, you know, we've kind of added on, but they've done a really good job of kind of reinventing their wings for six and seventh and eighth grade, even where their teams are.
[37:47] You know, it's not easy because the building wasn't necessarily designed, but it does actually have almost a pod like feel.
[37:55] like we have it horizon and then she took us by a few
[37:59] few doors that Jason Middlested had put in and Darren
[38:02] Sheer was instrumental in that kind of locked down the school
[38:06] if you've been in the school in the past few years
[38:09] to a game or a dance.
[38:12] If you looked around, if you paid attention,
[38:15] you kind of look and go, oh man, anybody could run down that hallway.
[38:17] Well, they've kind of got those things short up and she feels
[38:22] a lot better about that, that the that the school is is much more secure.
[38:28] She feels they have a very robust
[38:30] Abbott programming that they're working to make systematic.
[38:34] She feels the strength of Walker is there is their teachers.
[38:40] And she just really emphasized this that they take care of the kids
[38:43] and they take care of each other.
[38:45] That was pretty cool to hear.
[38:47] They work, work hard at teaming and ways to work together and collaborate
[38:50] and individual needs of students and the staff truly embraces the kids and I can tell you
[38:56] from experience many of them couldn't see teaching in any other school because of the,
[39:01] and I believe it's because of the different stenos they make every day and it's pretty cool.
[39:06] There is so much pride with that school among the staff and teachers in the work they do each day
[39:13] and they should be proud because they do a great job. Some of the challenging things
[39:20] Now, and in the future, I think she feels are staffing, and they lost one FTE at a time when the needs continue to grow, and I think we've
[39:30] feel that somewhat district-wide, we're kind of trying to do more of what's last, so I think we talked about that a lot,
[39:40] and
[39:43] something we've talked about on the board virtual learning and we really had a
[39:47] great talk about systems and those systems need to be in place so kids don't
[39:52] fall behind and consistent monitoring to ensure that doesn't happen which I
[39:56] thought was was really good inside. So I just had a great visit to walker and I
[40:03] enjoyed every minute of it. Now I just want to make a comment because this is
[40:07] side for my visit. But this is the only middle school I'm I'm going to this year and I can't
[40:14] remember if we reported out I think horizon was reported out on I'm not sure who's
[40:19] that is simply having gone there yet. So you know one thing I just challenged board members
[40:25] on is get into these schools just just try to understand you know the MTSSB and how well it's
[40:34] working because there are a lot of wins.
[40:37] There's a lot of good things going on,
[40:39] and a lot of positive supports in place.
[40:42] But I do think, you know, as we look in the future,
[40:48] virtual learning has a place.
[40:50] And I've talked to a number of middle school teachers
[40:53] over the past couple years,
[40:55] and I know we continue to have some big challenges
[40:58] in our buildings.
[40:59] And I think one of the things,
[41:02] and Mr. Hager and I have talked about this,
[41:04] But one of the things the board should be monitoring is the building population that renew
[41:11] ed.
[41:12] And how many students being served are from Legacy, BHS, CHS, Walker, Horizon, Simley.
[41:18] And looking at, you know, is it equitable?
[41:21] Because I think there's a vein out there that feels it's not.
[41:27] I'm hearing so many needs at the middle school level and where kids are denied placement
[41:33] at Renewed because of its capacity and I'll say this. That's perfectly understandable. There is
[41:40] a capacity like all of our buildings. There has to be. But I think we as a board need to look
[41:47] at creative things. And I'm just saying this from one board members viewpoint, but even seriously
[41:54] considering Renewed being middle school only. And I say that because the high schools have other
[42:00] resources as well as an alternative to high school in South Central.
[42:04] And we have talked over the years about an alternative middle school, which I think is a great
[42:08] idea, but it's a funding thing, and to be honest, we haven't been discussing that lately
[42:14] and I don't see that anywhere on the horizon in the next few years.
[42:20] So I think, you know, when you think about it, I look at these buildings and the administrators,
[42:26] There's the principles and APs when they're asking for a student to be placed in an alternative setting.
[42:33] I really believe that that's the last resort and that's what's best for their building.
[42:38] So at that point I feel like we have to have solutions in place.
[42:43] And I'm not saying we're doing anything wrong.
[42:45] I'm saying we can do better.
[42:49] And it's just one of the things we should take a look at.
[42:52] So, that's it.
[42:54] Thank you.
[42:55] Thank you, Mr. Lee.
[42:56] Thank you.
[42:56] All board members for sharing on school visits.
[42:59] They continue to be a highlight on the agenda for me, and I'm sure most of the people
[43:02] listening out there.
[43:04] Moving on on our agenda to item seven, it's the consent agenda, and as we get to this one,
[43:08] it's want to say any time we have retirements on here, I feel like anybody that's retiring
[43:11] from BPS deserves a hat tip.
[43:13] It is hard when you have somebody that's on there that, you know, personally not say anything
[43:17] about it.
[43:18] So, Mrs. Larshis, it was my help me get through the second grade.
[43:21] And made sure that I saw that learning and education can be really fun at a really young age.
[43:26] And I, she had a lot of great teachers at Miller Elementary, but she was certainly one of them.
[43:30] And I got to see her last year at her building on my school visit.
[43:33] So thank you very much, Mrs. Larshis.
[43:36] With that, what other wishes of the board regarding the consent agenda?
[43:40] I'm aware that we adopt the consent agenda.
[43:43] Second.
[43:44] Motion is second. Any further discussion?
[43:47] Seeing none, Mr. Share.
[43:49] Peterson?
[43:50] Yes.
[43:50] Yes.
[43:52] Yes.
[43:53] Yes.
[43:54] Motion passes.
[43:56] Lastly, in the agenda item, I made a superintendents report, and I should have probably mentioned
[43:59] at the beginning of the meeting that Dr. Fauss is not playing hooky here tonight.
[44:03] Dr. Fauss not puts in tireless, endless hours with his VPS family, and this week we're
[44:09] glad that he's with his family family on some vacation days.
[44:12] So, with that, though, VPS also has two greatest system superintendents, and Dr. Ben Johnson
[44:16] taking the chair in there.
[44:17] We certainly appreciate it.
[44:18] Dr. Brad Barnherne, as well, to being with us and Darren Chier, of course, always providing
[44:24] us help from the business manager's position.
[44:26] So we certainly appreciate the whole team that we have at Central Office.
[44:29] With that, Dr. Johnson, I don't know if we're going right to you, or to Mr. Scherr on 8A major
[44:33] projects.
[44:35] I'll just second let it go to Mr. Scherr, but as I said, I'm prepared for this as you indicated
[44:40] with Dr. Frost not being absent, I got to visit with Ms. Don Brown again and just this
[44:46] her last official agenda that put together and so she's overseen and I say overseen because
[44:53] she's our boss a little bit, five superintendents, including the interns over the time.
[45:00] Wonderful, dedicated career, and she will be missed by many. And there's a lot of things behind the scenes too that people will just be surprised. But again, we move forward, but I just wanted to give her that public acknowledgement to, along with teachers, but that will be a mid-year change. So again, congratulating her and the next phase that she's moving on with, but pleasure to be in one of the best school districts in the upper plains, I truly believe that. And I think that she sees that too from her vantage point. And with that, we'll talk about, so the last minute.
[45:30] to projects there, so Mr. Share.
[45:33] All right, thank you, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Johnson, President Eastgate members of the board.
[45:40] So a few pictures, we have stuff happening, so we continue to park concrete, footings are
[45:46] all port, foundation walls are being poured, interior pads will be poured.
[45:51] The good news is, once we get all that poured, which should be hopefully pretty well complete
[45:57] here in the month of December we'll start seeing structure go up right away because as you remember
[46:02] when we're doing the groundbreaking they're unloading the building. So the building is here.
[46:07] So that'll go pretty fast. Temporary power is on site, which that's a nice thing for those
[46:14] workers to have that available. So I'm to use on site to the site and we're getting ready. We're
[46:21] actually pouring the north foundation wall first so we can get actually utility stubbed into the
[46:26] building one of the first things.
[46:30] In addition, you'll have the financials in front of you,
[46:34] and I would answer any questions
[46:37] that you may have related to the project.
[46:40] Board members, any questions from Mr. Share?
[46:44] Board member Lee?
[46:45] Thank you, President.
[46:46] And he's get no questions, Mr. Share.
[46:49] I do have a comment with Don Brown.
[46:53] And thank you for reminding us.
[46:55] but she was so valued by everybody she worked for, worked along with.
[47:02] But it was really her and Dr. Ben Johnson who were probably the most trained in our coherent governance when we rolled that out.
[47:13] And both of them put in just a ton of extra time above and beyond is what I would say.
[47:19] but I've seen Don do that that time and again, she was,
[47:24] she's gonna leave some big shoes to fill
[47:28] and she did a great job and certainly wish her
[47:31] the best in her retirement, but yeah, she will be missed.
[47:35] Yeah, if that's a second,
[47:36] I'd like to give a third as well.
[47:38] I wish Don was here tonight.
[47:39] She really is amazing.
[47:40] I mentioned earlier, the BPS family
[47:42] and you kind of alluded to it, Dr. Johnson.
[47:44] Don's the boss.
[47:45] I mean, let's, you know, when you go into that office,
[47:48] She's definitely helping us all kind of run that show and we show up for meetings and everything
[47:52] So John Mr. Lee just said this well both behind the scenes as well as in front of a lot of meetings
[47:57] It go on there. She's been amazing and yeah, we will certainly miss her
[48:01] So she probably won't appreciate that I did this though
[48:04] But I just had to have that opportunity because as you said just so much work
[48:09] She's brilliant and very compassionate lady and we'll be nice because I get to see her every day
[48:16] all that but absolutely above and beyond. Thank you everybody with that all-gen items
[48:21] happen considered. I declare this meeting adjourned.