August 24, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Regular School Board Meeting

Description:  The Board Chair will call the meeting to order.

Description:  The Board Chair will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

Description:  The Board Chair will take roll call. A quorum must be established in order for the meeting to proceed.

Board Members:

Description:  Once quorum has been established the Board Chair will request approval of the meeting agenda.

Description:  The School Board of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools), Isanti and Chisago Counties, Minnesota (the "District") will hold a public hearing on August 24, 2023, at 6:30 o’clock p.m., in the District Education Services Center, Community Room 121A&B, 625A Main Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008, to consider granting an abatement of certain property taxes levied against net tax capacity imposed by the District (the "Proposed Property Tax Abatement") for taxes payable in 2024 through 2032 on the following property within the District boundaries.

The purpose of granting the Proposed Property Tax Abatement is to provide funds to finance the construction of and improvements to parking lots at various sites in the School District. The total estimated amount of the Proposed Property Tax Abatement by the School District is $7,869,225 over nine (9) years, an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay the principal and interest on approximately $6,000,000 of bonds issued to finance the parking lot construction, reconstruction and improvements districtwide, and related financing costs.

All who wish to be heard as to the Proposed Property Tax Abatement will be given an opportunity to express their views at the time of the public hearing or may file written comments with the Superintendent prior to the public hearing.

Description:  An opportunity for members of the community to address the Board.

Description:  A. Board Standing Committee Reports (minutes attached)
B. Board Representative Committee Reports
C. School Board Member Good News Report

Description:  Administration will provide an update to the School Board.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description:  Superintendent Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti Schools Policy Review Committee met and discussed a comparison between our current policy and MSBA's model policy for reference. Cabinet and the Administrative Team also had the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.  Upon consideration, the Policy Review Committee is recommending the Board approve the policy with modifications made in the attached policy.

Description: 
Any items board members wish to have considered as a separate action?

Board approval of consent agenda is needed.

Description:  Nikki Johnson, Board Treasurer, will give recommendation for treasurer’s report subject to audit. The Board Treasurer and Director of Finance and Operations meet once a month to review the previous month’s financial activity. Reports that are reviewed are the treasurer’s report, payment registers, and employee reimbursement report.

Description:  Therefore the Director of Finance and Operations recommends the following resolution:

Description: 
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board (the "Board") of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools), Isanti and Chisago Counties, Minnesota (the "District"), as follows:

Section 1. Authorization and Recitals.

1.01.    The District, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 to 469.1815, as amended (the "Act") is authorized to grant an abatement of certain property taxes levied against net tax capacity imposed by the District on parcels of property by the adoption of a resolution specifying the terms of the abatement.

1.02.    The District intends to undertake construction of and improvements to parking lots at various sites in the District (the "Improvements") and benefiting certain property within the District boundaries identified on EXHIBIT A attached hereto (the "Property").

1.03.    The District has proposed to finance the Improvements by granting an abatement of the property taxes imposed by the District on the Property (the "Proposed Property Tax Abatement"), and by issuing bonds to provide an amount equal to the sum of said Proposed Property Tax Abatement.

1.04.    Pursuant to the Act, this Board on August 24, 2023, conducted a public hearing on the desirability of granting the Proposed Property Tax Abatement.  Notice of the public hearing was duly published as required by law in a newspaper of general interest and readership in the District more than ten days but not more than thirty days prior to the date of the public hearing.  The form of said Notice and the publication of said Notice prior to the date of adoption of this resolution is ratified and confirmed in all respects.

Section 2. Findings. On the basis of the information compiled by the District and elicited at the public hearing referred to in Section 1.04, it is hereby found, determined and declared:

2.01.    The District expects that the benefits to the District associated with granting the Proposed Property Tax Abatement are at least equal to or exceed the associated costs to the District.

2.02.    The granting of the Proposed Property Tax Abatement is in the public interest because it will finance and provide public infrastructure and help provide access to services for residents of the District.

2.03.    The nature and extent of the public benefits which the District expects to result from the Proposed Property Tax Abatement are the construction of and improvements to parking lots at various sites in the District, which will enable District residents to continue to conveniently and safely access these facilities which are regularly utilized by the public for school and community events.

2.04.    The Property is not located in a tax increment financing district.

2.05.    The granting of the Proposed Property Tax Abatement will not cause the aggregate amount of abatements granted by the District under the Act to exceed the greater of (i) ten percent (10%) of the District’s net tax capacity for each taxes payable year to which the abatement applies, or (ii) $200,000.

2.06.    It is in the best interests of the District to grant the tax abatement authorized in this resolution.

2.07.    Under Section 469.1813, subdivision 9 of the Act, it is not necessary for the District to obtain the consent of any owner of the Property to grant an abatement.

Section 3. Granting of Tax Abatement.

3.01.    A property tax abatement (the "Abatement") is hereby granted in respect of property taxes levied by the District on the Property for nine (9) years, commencing with taxes payable in 2024 and concluding with taxes payable in 2032.  The estimated total cost of the Abatement is $7,869,225 over nine (9) years.

3.02.    The District shall retain the Abatement and apply it to payment of all or a portion of the costs of acquiring or constructing the Improvements or to the payment of bonds of the District issued to finance costs of acquiring or constructing the Improvements, whether such bonds are issued pursuant to the Act, or other law, as authorized by Section 469.1815, Subdivision 2 of the Act.

3.03.    The Abatement may not be modified or terminated by the Board during its term.

Description: 
BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board (the "Board") of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools), Isanti and Chisago Counties, Minnesota (the "District"), as follows:

1.    Background.  It is hereby determined that:

(a)    The District is authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 475, as amended (the "Act"), and Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 to 469.1815, as amended (the "Abatement Act") to issue general obligation tax abatement bonds.

(b)    Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board on this date (the "Abatement Resolution"), following a duly noticed public hearing, the Board approved a property tax abatement (the "Abatements") in the approximate amount of $7,869,225 for certain property in the District (the "Abatement Parcels") over a period of nine (9) years in an amount sufficient to provide financing for the construction of and improvements to parking lots at various sites in the District, and related financing costs (the "Project").  

(c)    In the Abatement Resolution, the District found and determined that the Project benefits the Abatement Parcels, that the Project will provide access to services for residents in the District, and that the maximum principal amount of bonds to be secured by Abatements does not exceed the estimated sum of Abatements from the Abatement Parcels for the term authorized under the Abatement Resolution.

(d)    The Board hereby finds and determines that it is necessary and expedient to the sound financial management of the affairs of the District to issue its General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds, Series 2024A in the original aggregate principal amount of approximately $6,000,000 (the "Bonds") in accordance with the Act and the Abatement Act. 

2.    Covenant as to State Credit Enhancement.  

(a)    The District hereby covenants and obligates itself to notify the Commissioner of Education (the "Commissioner") of a potential default in the payment of principal and interest on the Bonds and to use the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 126C.55 (the "Credit Enhancement Act") to guarantee payment of the principal and interest on the Bonds when due.  The District further covenants to deposit with the paying agent for the Bonds (the "Paying Agent"), or any successor paying agent, three (3) days prior to the date on which a payment is due an amount sufficient to make that payment or to notify the Commissioner that it will be unable to make all or a portion of that payment.  The Paying Agent is authorized and directed to notify the Commissioner if it becomes aware of a potential default in the payment of principal or interest on the Bonds or if, on the day two (2) business days prior to the date a payment is due on the Bonds, there are insufficient funds on deposit with the Paying Agent to make that payment.  The District understands that as a result of its covenant to be bound by the provisions of the Credit Enhancement Act, the provisions of that section shall be binding as long as any Bonds of this issue remain outstanding.

(b)    The District further covenants to comply with all procedures now and hereafter established by the Minnesota Departments of Management and Budget and Education pursuant to subdivision 2(c) of the Credit Enhancement Act and otherwise to take such actions as necessary to comply with that section.  The Board Chair, Clerk, Treasurer, Superintendent, or Director of Finance and Operations of the District are authorized to execute any applicable Minnesota Department of Education forms.

3.    Sale of Bonds.  The Board has retained Ehlers and Associates, Inc. (the "Municipal Advisor"), to serve as the District’s independent municipal advisor with respect to the offer and sale of the Bonds and, therefore, is authorized by Section 475.60, subdivision 2(9), of the Act to sell the Bonds other than pursuant to a competitive sale.

4.    Authority of Municipal Advisor.  The Municipal Advisor is authorized and directed to assist the District in the preparation and dissemination of a Preliminary Official Statement to be distributed to potential purchasers of the Bonds and to open, read, and tabulate the proposals for the purchase of the Bonds for presentation to the Board.  The Municipal Advisor is further authorized and directed to assist the District in the award and sale of the Bonds on behalf of the District after receipt of written proposals and to assist the District in the preparation and dissemination of a final Official Statement with respect to the Bonds.

5.    Acceptance of Proposal.   The Board shall meet at the time specified in the Preliminary Official Statement or at such other time designated by the Board to receive and consider proposals for the purchase of the Bonds and take any other appropriate action with respect to the Bonds.  

6.    Authority of Bond Counsel.  The law firm of Kennedy & Graven, Chartered, is authorized to act as bond counsel for the District ("Bond Counsel") and to assist in the preparation and review of necessary documents, certificates, and instruments related to the Bonds.  The officers, employees, and agents of the District are hereby authorized to assist Bond Counsel in the preparation of such documents, certificates, and instruments. 

7.    Review and Comment. The administration of the District is authorized and directed to consult with the Minnesota Department of Education, to cause a proposal to be prepared and submitted on behalf of the Board to the Commissioner of Education for the Commissioner’s Review and Comment on the Project, and to take such other actions as necessary to comply with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Section 123B.71, as amended.

8.    Reimbursement from Bond Proceeds.  The District may incur certain expenditures that may be financed temporarily from sources other than the Bonds and reimbursed from the proceeds of the Bonds.  Treasury Regulation § 1.150-2 (the "Reimbursement Regulations") provides that proceeds of tax-exempt bonds allocated to reimburse expenditures originally paid from a source other than the tax-exempt bonds will not be deemed expended unless certain requirements are met.  In order to preserve its ability to reimburse certain costs from proceeds of the Bonds in accordance with the Reimbursement Regulations, the District hereby makes its declaration of official intent (the "Declaration") described below to reimburse certain costs 

(a)    Declaration of Intent.  The District proposes to issue the Bonds to finance the costs of the Project.  The District may reimburse original expenditures made for certain costs of the Project from the proceeds of the Bonds in an estimated maximum principal amount of $6,000,000.  All reimbursed expenditures will be capital expenditures, costs of issuance of the Bonds, or other expenditures eligible for reimbursement under Section 1.150-2(d)(3) of the Reimbursement Regulations.

(b)    Declaration Made Not Later Than 60 Days.  This Declaration has been made not later than sixty (60) days after payment of any original expenditure to be subject to a reimbursement allocation with respect to the proceeds of the Bonds, except for the following expenditures:  (a) costs of issuance of the Bonds; (b) costs in an amount not in excess of $100,000 or five percent (5%) of the proceeds of the Bonds;  or (c) "preliminary expenditures" up to an amount not in excess of twenty (20) percent of the aggregate issue price of the Bonds that finance or are reasonably expected by the District to finance the Project for which the preliminary expenditures were incurred.  The term "preliminary expenditures" includes architectural, engineering, surveying, bond issuance, and similar costs that are incurred prior to commencement of acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of the Project, other than land acquisition, site preparation, and similar costs incident to commencement of construction.

(c)    Reasonable Expectations; Official Intent.  This Declaration is an expression of the reasonable expectations of the District based on the facts and circumstances known to the District as of the date hereof.  The anticipated original expenditures for the Project and the principal amount of the Bonds described in Section 8(a), above, are consistent with the District’s budgetary and financial circumstances.  No sources other than proceeds of the Bonds to be issued by the District are, or are reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long-term basis, or otherwise set aside pursuant to the District’s budget or financial policies to pay such original expenditures.  This resolution is intended to constitute a declaration of official intent for purposes of the Reimbursement Regulations.

Description:  Girls’ Tennis Overnight Trip Request
Our Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket girls’ tennis team is seeking permission to stay overnight and play in competitions from Friday, September 15 through Saturday, September 16. The team would travel to Duluth East for a match on Friday, September 15, and would return to Cambridge-Isanti High School on Saturday, September 17. We are playing in the Hibbing Girls Tennis Tournament on Saturday, September 16, 2023. The tournament will take place in Hibbing and Virginia. The team would stay at the Hampton Inn, in Hibbing, MN on Friday, September 15. Thea Lowman would be the female coach chaperone. The booster club would cover the hotel cost.

Gymnastics Overnight Trip Request
Our Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket gymnastics team is seeking permission to stay overnight and compete in competitions from Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 2. The team would travel to Perham on Friday, December 1, and would return to Cambridge-Isanti High School on Saturday, December 2. We are competing in the Perham Invitational on Saturday, December 2, 2022. The tournament will take place in Perham, MN. The team would stay at the Super 8 in Perham, MN on Friday, December 1. Wendy Rooney would be the female coach chaperone. The booster club would cover the hotel cost.

Gymnastics Overnight Trip Request
Our Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket gymnastics team is seeking permission to stay overnight and compete in competitions from Friday, January 12 through Saturday, January 13. The team would travel to Lakeville on Friday, January 12, and would return to Cambridge-Isanti High School on Saturday, January 13. We are competing in the Lakeville Invitational on Saturday, January 13, 2023. The tournament will take place in Lakeville, MN. The team would stay at the Baymont Inn by Wyndham in Lakeville, MN on Friday, January 12. Wendy Rooney would be the female coach chaperone. The booster club would cover the hotel cost.

Boys’ Hockey Overnight Trip Request
Our Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket boys’ hockey team is seeking permission to stay overnight and compete in a scrimmage on Friday, November 17, 2023. The team would travel to Hermantown for scrimmages on Friday, November 17 and Virginia on Saturday, November 18 and would return to Cambridge-Isanti High School on Saturday, November 18, 2023. The team will stay at the Americas Best Value Inn Duluth in Proctor on Friday, November 17. Jarad Ziebarth would be the male coach chaperone. The booster club would cover the lodging and meal cost.

Robotics Overnight Trip Request
Our Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket Robotics team is seeking permission to stay overnight from March 6 to March 9, 2024. The team will be traveling to Grand Forks, MN and competing in the Great Northern Regional. This is a multi-day event being held at the Alerus Center. The team will stay at the Canada Inn. Sheryl Kammerer is the coach chaperone. The booster club would cover the hotel cost.

Teams Qualifying for the MN State High School League Events
Any team that qualifies for a state tournament throughout the year would potentially request for an overnight stay. We will communicate with Superintendent Dr. Nate Rudolph and Cambridge-Isanti High School Principal Dr. Steve Gibbs the qualifying teams’ specific arrangements.

Description:  This Memorandum of Understanding is between Cambridge-Isanti Schools and Lighthouse Child & Family Services, Inc (LCFS). The District in cooperation with LCFS agrees to participate in providing School Linked Behavioral Health Services (SLBH) in accordance with the standards set forth by the MN Department of Human Services.

Description: 

RESOLUTION APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES
FOR THE NOVEMBER 7, 2023
SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL ELECTION

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Independent School District No. 911, State of Minnesota, as follows:

1. The individuals specified on EXHIBIT A attached hereto, each of whom is qualified to serve as an election judge, are hereby appointed as judges of election for the school district's special election on November 7, 2023 to act as such at the combined polling places listed on said exhibit.
2. The election judges shall act as clerks of election, count the ballots cast, and submit the results to the school board for canvass in the manner provided for other school district elections.

Description: 
WHEREAS, the School Board of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools) is required by Minnesota Statutes 203B.121, Subd. 1 to establish an Absentee Ballot Board effective September 22, 2023;

WHEREAS, this board will bring uniformity in the process of accepting or rejecting returned absentee ballots in the Special School Board Election; and

WHEREAS, the Absentee Ballot Board would consist of a sufficient number of election judges as provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22 or deputy county auditors trained in the processing and counting of absentee ballots;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the School Board of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools) hereby establishes an Absentee Ballot Board that would consist of a sufficient number of election judges as provided in sections 204B.19 to 204B.22 or deputy auditors to perform the task.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the School Board of Independent School District No. 911 (Cambridge-Isanti Schools) hereby appoints the following election judges and deputy county auditors as the Absentee Ballot Board: Susan Heckt, Darla Joslin, Gary Skarsten, Rita Jenson, Lisa Young, Amy Sachs, Sue Conrad, and Adrianne Johnson.         

Description:  The Cambridge-Isanti District Code of Conduct outlines student rights and responsibilities, systems of support, and standards of student behavior. The Code of Conduct contains links to the Student Handbooks that are aligned to the Code of Conduct. Each school or program has updated its Student Handbook for the 2023-24 school year. The changes to the Student Handbooks are summarized in the attached document.

Description:  The 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session resulted in many law changes that are effective immediately or in the summer of 2023. Because the revisions in the attached policies are largely taken word-for-word from 2023 legislation, school boards may choose to adopt changes in a single meeting.

Policy Committee, Cabinet, and the Administrative Team have been provided the opportunity to review the proposed policy changes and provide comments.

The proposed revised policies are as follows:

• Policy 102 - Educational Opportunity - Adds equal athletic opportunity paragraph
• Policy 418 - Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School - Reflects marijuana legalization
• Policy 419 - Tobacco-Free Environment - Adds loose tobacco/tribal ritual exception
• Policy 424 - License Status - Adds annual report to PELSB requirement
• Policy 425 - Staff Development - Adds paraprofessional paid orientation or professional development
• Policy 504 - Student Appearance - Adds language regarding hair and graduation regalia
• Policy 506 - Student Discipline - Adds substantial revisions: Nonexclusionary disciplinary practices, reasonable force, recess, etc.
• Policy 507 - Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint - Adds Prohibitions article; prone restraint prohibition
• Policy 509 - Enrollment of Nonresident Students - Adds application provisions
• Policy 513 - Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design - Adds Gifted and Talented Student provisions; early admissions
• Policy 514 - Bullying Prohibition Policy - Adds malicious and sadistic conduct prohibition; updates General Policy Statement and Notice
• Policy 516 - Student Medication - Removes Narcan section and references the new Overdose Medication Policy (Policy 516.5)
• Policy 516.5 - Overdose Medication - New policy that adds school district policy requirements and prescription authorizations
• Policy 532 - Use of Peace Officers and Teams - Adds reasonable force provision
• Policy 534 - School Meal Policy - Updates policy to reflect new free meals law
• Policy 602 - Organization of School Calendar and School Day - Adds E-learning provisions
• Policy 603 - Curriculum Development - Updates District Advisory Committee provisions; deletes curriculum development process (Art. VI)
• Policy 604 - Instructional Curriculum - Updates required academic standards; prohibits curriculum discrimination/discipline
• Policy 613 - Graduation Requirements - Updates definitions; adds ethnic studies course provision
• Policy 616 - School District System Accountability - Deletes "graduation standards"; adds reports; updates District Advisory Committee provisions
• Policy 618 - Assessment of Student Achievement - Updates definitions
• Policy 620 - Credit for Learning - Removes online learning (see updated Policy 624); updates definitions; adds health care credit
• Policy 621 - Literacy and the READ Act (New) - Now policy on the READ Act requirements
• Policy 624 - Online Instruction (New) - New policy on online instruction (policy number remains the same)
• Policy 708 - Transportation of Nonpublic School Students - Allows written plan for nonpublic pupil transportation
• Policy 709 - Student Transportation Safety Policy - Adds active transportation safety training requirements; adds Type III bus changes

Description:  The school board tours school buildings each year. The proposal is to move the date of the September Study Session to August 31 so the board can tour the selected buildings before school begins on September 5. The board will meet at the bus garage, visit Isanti Primary School, Cambridge Intermediate and Primary Schools, and finish the tour at Cambridge-Isanti High School.

Description:  Mark Solberg has been working as a substitute teacher in Cambridge-Isanti Schools. Based on M.S. 123B.195, a school board member may continue to be employed by the school district in accordance with Policy 210. Your action to approve Mark Solberg’s employment as a substitute teacher for the 2023-24 school year, within the statute of limitations, is recommended.

Description:  Adjourn meeting