April 28, 2026
Meeting brought to order at 5:00 PM
*Tift and Reister absent
*Flag Pledged
*Agenda Approved
*Student Showcase – 2 teachers from Sunnyside on the impact the use of UFLI is having on student achievement. Gabby Hartnick, Reading Interventionist and Kate Safe, Instructional Coach presented. The two have organized and utilized UFLI methods for phonics instruction. (UFLI was never named other than being the phonics instruction that is currently used at SSE). This resource is also shared with Special Ed staff, and the presenters gave special credit to Dael Babb for her commitment to the approach and excellent data keeping methods. They highlight K students who receive either Tier I (first, best instruction), Tier II or Tier 3 intervention with this approach. All students profiled (with parent permission) have made remarkable progress in reading this school year and are in an excellent place (regarding reading skills) to go on to first grade.
*Public Comment – Amber Dawn Plank spoke about a number of concerns (I may have not captured all of them here). She indicated that she had approached a school employee to ask about initiating Restorative Circles. She was told that the person was not sure which staff could do that. Amber said she approached another staff member about recruiting teachers of color and was told that district leaders go to college fairs. She asked about what else is being done if that isn’t working. She raised the concern that there is not the support for black students and families that she observes for Hispanic and PIIC families. She ended her comments by asking the board to “do better”.
*Public Comment – Tias, who attends RWHS- Raised concerns about the quality and quantity of food being served at RWPS. He was served expired milk and said the rest of the food was not good. He suggested the board try the lunches.
*Public Comment – Amma – Commented that lunches were “nasty” and that she was not the only student who felt this way. She said she feels that the lunches, bathrooms and classroom all need to be fixed.
*Recognitions and “Goings On” – It was noted that Neil Lahammer was honored as the inaugural Kindness 101 Teacher of the year. Yay, Neil!
A group of students will get to attend MN Supreme Court arguments on May 7. The program has been in place for 30 years and 2 school statewide get to attend each year. A very big day for our students!. There is a Career Fair on May 7. Prom is this weekend. There is an event to honor Hispanic grads on May 15 and one for PIIC students on May 29. RWHS graduation is June 5. Sunnyside recently had a school wide showcase in which Art, Music and Phy Ed collaborated for a student performance. Spring concerts will be held the first week in May. Some MCA testing is done; one more week for science to be completed. MCA will then be followed by AP testing and then FAST Bridge. May 8 is “signing day” for senior athletes. Senior awards night is May 20 at Hovda Hall. The Preschool Committee and consultants will present to the board on May 12.
*Consent Agenda – Approved without comment or amendment.
*Donations – Several donations of cash, supplies and fishing were accepted with appreciation. Donors were Red Men’s Club, Dollar Tree, Reister Refrigeration, among others.
*Superintendent Comments – Declining enrollment due to demographics; incoming K class anticipated to be around 140 (around 5 years ago it was near 200). The largest class right now are the incoming 7th graders (177). The elimination of Compensatory Revenue has had a major impact on all school districts. The Superintendent is hoping the legislature will partially cover this gap, but that is uncertain. It may be necessary to look at a Capital Bond Levy at tne time of the November general election. If that passed, the funds would not flow until 2028. A deficit budget may need to be presented to the board and cuts may be needed a year from now.
Business Items –
1) Aaron B – reported on pre-sale of bonds
2) Board voted in favor of nonconcurrence response. This seemed to relate to PIIC students, but no context was given.
3) Emily Seefeldt reported on receiving a 1.25 million $ grant that she collaborated with Zach Pruitt from Jones Foundation. It will focus on recruiting teachers, establishing a scholarship fund and recruiting teachers of color.
4) 27-28 Calendar – discussion was held about the wisdom of Spring Break which is burdensome on some families. Ultimately the calendar was approved on a 4:1 vote.
5) 26-27 calendar revision – A Professional Development Day needed to be rescheduled due to a conflict with the testing schedule. Revision approved on a 4:1 vote.
6) Non-renewals of teachers – 4 probationary teachers were non-renewed based on their probationary status. Names were not spoken.
7) Tower View (TV) Lease – There was lengthy discussion on this item. The lease will go up to 97K for the coming year due to security improvements, more classrooms, classroom remodels, etc. The lease will be levied (as is allowable and customary by law in MN). Ms. Schoenfelder questioned at length the “per student” value of the money being spent. Ms. Pagel (principal) indicated that there were about 67 students attending. 11 have already graduated this year, with more scheduled to do so. Staffing was questioned and Ms. Pagel indicated there are 4 teachers, 1 secretary and a .2 admin. Chris M. from finance department indicated that TV does not impact the general fund for the rest of the district. The superintendent spoke eloquently (in this observer’s opinion) to the human value of the program even when it appears to “not make fiscal sense”. Ms. Bjornstad also spoke up to say that many students would leave school altogether if it were not for the TV programs. Ms. Pagel agreed. The lease agreement was approved on a 5:0 vote.
8) Fund Balance Policy – Bob recommended approval of the fund balance policy. No discussion (it was getting late!). Passed 5:0.
9) 3 Year Policy Review – Passed 5:0 with no discussion.
*Upcoming Meetings – Workshop 5/12. Preschool recommendations to be presented.
*Other – Jim asked if the new schedule was working for everyone. Little discussion. It seemed to be.
There was no discussion or comment on the resignation of a principal. It was on the consent agenda.
Adjourned at 6:48 PM