Action of the School Board 1/23/23

Meeting held Jan. 23, 2023

Vicki Johnson, financial data specialist with Anoka-Hennepin schools was experiencing a choking emergency during lunch at the Educational Services Center when Cindy Hiltz, assistant director of student services - health services stepped in and performed the life-saving Heimlich manuever. The school board recognized Hiltz along with Tim Fournier, Manager of Security and Emergency Operations; for actions taken to assist Johnson during her time of need. Vicki Johnson, pictured in the front row, is shown with Hiltz and Fournier along with members of the school board. View the presentation

Winners in the 19th annual kindness poster contest were recognized. Students at all grade levels are invited to submit artwork at each school and then a district level representative is selected. Students' work is posted at buildings throughout the district and winners receive a Kindle courtesy of the Horace Mann Insurance Company as a prize. This year’s theme was “There is Power In Kindness.” Nearly 150 posters were voted on by staff at the Educational Service Center (ESC) on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. View the awards presentation.

This year’s winners are Leona Payne, kindergarten - Brookside Elementary School; Alissha Yang, first grade - Mississippi Elementary School; Gia Alunovic, second grade - Sunrise Elementary School; Natalie Clark, third grade - Rum River Elementary School; Taleen Almosawi, fourth grade - Jefferson Elementary School; Inessa Crane, fifth grade -Eisenhower Elementary School; Avrie Siedschlag, sixth grade - Coon Rapids Middle School; Clare Jolly, seventh grade - Oak View Middle School; Kaynaya Podany, eighth grade - Northdale Middle School; and Eva Figueroa, 11th grade - Andover High School. The annual event supports a districtwide initiative to support safe and welcoming schools for all students.

The School Board received testimony from Richard Klabechek, Sue Dergantz, Dan Larson, Kendall Qualls, Sherry Wachfler, Jill Bornes, Carol Richardson, Ellen Hadley, Rod Kuehn, Scott Coggins, Stan Osmundson, Dave McKibben, Randy Nelson, John Sovier, Pam Weber, Jesse Peterson, Tiffany Strabala, Laurie Thompson, Rachel Keller, Aaron Peterson, Shannon Fletcher, and Elizabeth Kiekhafer.

Aaron Nielsen, a certified public accountant with the accounting firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich and Company (MMKR), reviewed the annual audit his firm conducted of the district’s financial statements for the fiscal year 2022. The auditor gave the district an unmodified opinion on its basic financial statements, and said the district is in a strong financial position with an adequate fund balance and provided trend data along with current financial measures to provide context. No findings, material weaknesses or instances of noncompliance were reported. The analysis and report of district funds by an independent firm provides information for School Board consideration in financial planning and management of business affairs and compliance with legal requirements and mandates.

View the audit presentation.

Dr. Josh Delich, associate superintendent for high schools, presented an application for Minnesota State High School League Foundation. Funding provided would be used in compliance with the resolution to support leadership initiatives, safety and transportation matters that will remove barriers to student participation. The resolution was approved on a unanimous vote.

The Anoka-Hennepin School Board uses a continuous improvement cycle and works to refine and improve the system to support outcomes for students and increase effectiveness of staff members. The board sets direction for the district through the development, implementation and monitoring of a set of strategic priorities. Interim Superintendent Dr. Kate Maguire provided an overview of action items in the three priority categories including increasing academic achievement, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, and ensuring effective operations.

The School Board approved the strategic priorities on a 5-1 vote with Audette voting no and also approved investments for strategic priorities on a unanimous vote.

View the presentation and discussion.

View detailed strategic priorities and anticipated action steps

1. Minutes from the Jan. 9, 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 report.
6. Monthly revenue and expenditures.
7. Investment report for calendar year 2023.
8. Policy 618.0 Early Childhood Screening.
9. Cabinet Members Terms and Conditions 2022-23.
10. #23021B Media Center Renovation Projects - Group 6.
11. #23022B Media Center Renovation Projects - Group 7.
12. #23023B Media Center Renovation Projects - Group 8.
13. #23020B Media Center Renovation Projects - Group 5.
14. #23024B Media Center Renovation Projects - Group 9.
15. Immunization exclusions as required by MS121a.15.

School Board work session, Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m., at Educational Services Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka, MN.

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