Call to Order: Chair John Bellingham presided over the meeting
Presentations and Reports
- Faribault High School Presentation – Principal Mr. Malter
- Presented on the school’s mission – every student gets a high-quality instruction, focus on positive relationships, want to emphasize belonging and respect, etc.
- Highlighted the importance of positive relationships and clear communication with all stakeholders to create a strong community
- Recent behavioral data from the high school this year has shown significant improvement compared to last year. At this point last year, there were 384 behavior referrals (this year there are 220, a 42% reduction). At this point last year, there were 235 total days of suspension (this year there’s been 37 days, a 84% reduction)
- Did this without changing standards for what constitutes a behavioral referral or suspension
- This is the first year of implementing PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) – designed to create a positive school environment by teaching expectation
- Staff teams were trained through the South East Service Cooperative in Mankato, all students are taught expectations with additional interventions for those needing more support
- The school continues to focus on staff recognition and plans to expand recognition to students
- SOAR expectations (Safe, On-Task, Accountable, Respectful) are being implemented, shown on posters throughout building and explicitly taught each semester
- Board Discussion and Questions
- Board members asked questions regarding prevention and intervention strategies for negative behaviors
- Discussion emphasized creating a consistent set of expectations across all grade levels (these plans are implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools so kids grow up with them). The school also continues to develop restorative practices and adjusting classroom policies (including restricting phone usage)
- *Observer note: Atmosphere was positive and conversational, board members showed support for the PBIS program and offered compliments
- Community Recognition and Board Member Comments
- Linda Boudreau recognized winners of the Young Chefs Contest, announced the names of elementary school student winners.
- Linda Moore reported on attending a district choir concert at Jefferson Elementary, expressed support for the music program as it is vital for brain development.
- Advocated for expanding music programs across additional elementary schools
- Moore reported that efforts to ensure there were no conflicts at Faribault sporting events were successful
- Moore proposed that the district recognize the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the United States by dedicating some time to teaching the Constitution and Declaration of Independence
- Program and Grant Updates
- The district reviewed the Prevention Partnership Health Youth or PPHY grant received in 2022 to address youth substance abuse
- Grant provided approx. $1 million to public schools over three years to support after school programing, equipment, and community partnerships to promote healthy choices
- The initiative was based on community concerns raised at a previous board meeting about youth substance misuse in communities of color.
- Bellingham explained that state/local officials confirmed that all funds were used appropriately and directly benefited community members.
- He clarified that none of the funding went to “Lu Ali or any of her businesses”
- Student Board Representative Report
- Amira Williams is the student representative from Faribault High School
- She reported that school environment is positive, spring sports are underway, and the DECA State competition was successful – several students qualified for the international competition (ICDC)
- Superintendent Report – Mr. Bente
- Superintendent Bente highlighted recent district activities:
- Jefferson Elementary’s Olympics-themed research event, middle school participation in a Math Mania completion in Mankato (Faribault student placed third),
- High school students organizing and donating meal kits to the Community Action Center Lincoln Elementary’s read-a-thon where $10,266 were raised in pledges and donations from community businesses,
- Roosevelt Early Learning center welcomed a visit from the “Smile Fairy” who educated them about dental hygiene,
- Faribault Middle School participated in a learn to ski day at Welch Village
- Congratulated specific students who participated in the ACDA Honor Choir additional successful events were noted
- Superintendent Bente highlighted recent district activities:
- Public Comment
- No public comments were made
- Consent Agenda
- Consists of minutes from the February 17th and March 2nd, 2026 meetings, employment, additional assignments, other authorization of payments, transfers, and investment accounts and retirement.
- Motion was made to approve the consent agenda – motion passed (4-1)
- Committee Reports
- District Advisory Committee
- No report
- Policy Committee
- Linda Moore presented agenda item 8A
- Review of Policies:
- Policy 504: Student dress and appearance
- Policy 505: Distribution of non-school sponsored materials on school property by students and employees
- Policy 527: Student use and parking of motor vehicles, patrols, inspections and searches to the school board.
- Policy 605: Alternative educational changes to the school board.
- Revision of Policies
- Policy 406:Public and private personnel data.
- Policy 503: Student attendance to the school board.
- Policy 520: Student surveys
- No new policies added
- Review of Policies:
- Agenda Item 8B
- First reading of policies – no objections
- Agenda Item 8C
- Second reading:
- Policy 306 (Code of Conduct): Motion to approve was made – Moore proposed to amendments (both failed due to lack of a second) – motion passed
- Moore moves to amend policy 306 administrative code of ethics to allow federal law to supercede state and local policies and law, no second (failed)
- Moore moves to amend 306 by adding school administrators can not commit treason or join organizations that want to overthrow the government, no second (failed)
- Budro brings up concerns that this amendment may be out of the board’s legal jurisdiction, so that is why she did not support
- Policy 606 (Textbooks and text materials): motion for approval of revisions-motion passed
- Policy 712 (Video Surveillance other than on buses): motion for approval of revision-motion passed
- Policy 722 (Public Data Requests): Moore opposed the policy, citing concerns about parental rights – motion passed (4-1)
- Policy 306 (Code of Conduct): Motion to approve was made – Moore proposed to amendments (both failed due to lack of a second) – motion passed
- Second reading:
- Linda Moore presented agenda item 8A
- Finance Committee
- Linda Boudreau reported that the Finance Committee met virtually on March 9th – items included approval of February meeting minutes. Reports on the last finance committee meeting, high school is below enrolment, but overall finances are going well and better than last year
- Moore discussed safety initiatives, including screening systems and safety apps to prevent gun violence
- Funding would come from the district’s general fund
- New Action Items
- Resolution 26-20: Acceptance of Gifts and Donations – Motion to approve passed (4-0), Chair Bellingham abstained due to a conflict of interest
- Achievement and Integration Plan (Fiscal Year 2027-2029) – Moore expressed concern about the program’s effectiveness, motion passed (4-1)
- Boudreau:Is the grow your own pathway accessible to all students pursuing careers in professional jobs? Any racial preference language? Is there language saying we hire teachers who are most qualified? How will applicants know they are eligible for the grow your own plan, seems like it could only be available to some?
- Superintendent Bente: Yes. No. Race is not visible, does not believe they ask for it, they also do not see gender. Yes there is something in there like we always hire based on merit. Sent out district wide.
- Moore: Thinks we could do this without the achievement and integration plan. It does not seem like this program is increasing students’ achievement. While graduation rates are up, achievement rates are still low as is college and career readiness. Also thanks Bourdreau for asking about merit hiring. Harps on program not working and lack of accountability to the taxpayer.
- Approved.
- Kids World Child Care Fee Adjustment (Fiscal Year 2027) – Proposed fee increase to support staffing and operations, motion passed (5-0)
- Riopelle: Fee Based Year Around Childcare Program. It is an adjustment not an increase, so they are actually offering a rate decrease for families who send kids for full day and full week in the summer. The slight increase elsewhere is necessary because otherwise they would need to operate at a deficit. .25c increase.
- Budget Adjustment (2026-2027) – Discussion focused on a $270,000 reduction in paraprofessional positions. Concerns were raised about impact on classroom support, particularly in kindergarten
- *Observer note: budget adjustment took the most time to discuss
- Moore questioned prioritizing cuts to teaching support staff over non-teaching positions,
- Knudson also expressed concerns
- Superintendent Bente explained that staffing adjustments were needed due to lower than expected enrollment and they had hired more teachers to accommodate this expected high enrollment. Cuts would only apply to general education paraprofessionals, not one-on-one aids
- Motion passed 3-2. Moore and Knudson voted nay.
- Resolution 26-21: Non-Renewal of Probationary Teachers for 2026-2027 school year
- Motion passed 5-2
- Resolution 26-22: Non-probationary Administrator on ULA Status
- Motion passed 5-0
- *meeting ended with adjournment and upcoming dates/events to remember
