Action of the School Board

November 21, 2022

The School Board did not receive any testimony from the public.

Greg Cole, chief operations officer, and Dr. Josh Delich, associate superintendent for high schools, provided information to the School Board regarding a proposal to close the existing schoolhouse for the Anoka-Hennepin Regional High School, which is currently a leased space in Coon Rapids that needs extensive repairs and updates. District leaders led a process to review and evaluate three possible locations for relocation prior to recommending a portion of the Sandburg Education Center to serve as the sole facility for the school. The School Board approved the closure of the existing schoolhouse and repurposing of Sandburg Education Center on a unanimous vote.

Watch the presentation on the closure recommendation.

Dr. Mary Wolverton, associate superintendent for elementary schools; Becky Brodeur, associate superintendent for middle schools and student services; and Greg Cole, chief operations officer, provided a final proposal on attendance boundary changes scheduled to take place starting in the 2023-24 school year. District leaders have collected community feedback on draft proposals shared at over 10 meetings and have updated recommendations in response to community feedback. The School Board voted to approve the proposals 6-0.

Watch the boundary change proposal presentation.

Michelle Trelstad, executive director of community education and government relations, discussed the district’s second read of its legislative platform. The School Board discussed three priority areas, including funding to improve student outcomes, investing in school safety and addressing staffing challenges. The platform ensures the district communicates in a unified voice regarding legislative matters. Over 70 percent of all funding for Anoka-Hennepin’s school operations are provided through state funding formulas. The board voted to approve the platform 6-0.

Watch the Legislative Platform presentation.

Todd Mensink, director of labor relations and benefits, brought a proposed calendar change to the School Board for consideration. District leadership has proposed moving the last day of school up by one day for elementary schools next June to allow time for boundary change-related tasks such as moving classrooms. Boundary changes will go into effect September 2023. The calendar change request is scheduled to return for approval at the Dec. 12 board meeting.

Watch the calendar adjustment presentation.

Michelle Vargas, chief financial officer, Anjie Flowers, general counsel and executive director of human resources, presented information about a fund balance policy for the School Board’s approval. The policy would continue the School Board’s history of striving to maintain 10 percent of its annual expenditures in reserve, although the percentage would be calculated using the district’s operating budget instead of all expenditures. The change would maintain the district’s conservative approach to financial stability. The move would also provide $11.5 million in funding for one-time expenditures to be determined by the School Board. The policy is programmed to return for approval at the December 12 board meeting.

Watch the fund balance policy 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 were approved.

1. Minutes from Nov. 7, 2022 School Board meeting.

2. Retirements, Resignations, Terminations, Layoffs and Recalls, Leaves and Modified Leaves of Absences, Appointments.

3. Cash disbursements report.

4. Cash balance report.

5. Donations and scholarship report.

6. Monthly revenue and expenditures.

7. Immunization exclusions as required by Statute 121a.15.

School Board meeting, and Truth-in-Taxation Public Hearing, Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m., at the Sandburg Educational Services Center, 1902 2nd Ave., Anoka.

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