April 10, 2025 Workshop Meeting
April 10, 2025 Workshop Meeting
2 hours 8 minutes
Agenda and Minutes
1.0 Call to Order; Roll Call: Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the School Board of Independent School District 833, South Washington County, was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Chair Katie Schwartz, at 6:00pm at the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Road South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. School Board Members present: Ryan Clarke, Melinda Dols, Louise Hinz, Simi Patnaik, Katie Schwartz, Eric Tessmer and Sharon Van Leer. Superintendent Nielsen was present.
2.0 Pledge of Allegiance
3.0 Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Sharon Van Leer, seconded by Simi Patnaik to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
4.0 Workshop Items:
4.1 Teaching and Learning Report: Science
Kelly Jansen, Assistant Superintendent
Arthur Williams, Elementary Teaching and Learning Director, Mark McIlmoyle, Secondary Teaching and Learning Director, Ian Bronson, Teaching and Learning Supervisor and Laura Larson, Teaching and Learning Supervisor shared information on the state standards, student data from testing and curriculum pathways.
Julie Nielsen, Superintendent
Executive Cabinet members shared the history of the current Strategic Plan and current progress of the five strategic directions as well as measurements. goals.
5.0 Information Items:
Kris Blackburn, Director of Business Services
Ms. Blackburn shared information on Special Education funding.
5.2 First Reading of Proposed Policy Changes
Julie Nielsen, Superintendent
Proposed changes to policies were shared. There was no request for public comment.
6.0 Reports and Comments:
Superintendent Nielsen shared events over the last week, including the Woodbury EXPO, Literacy University, open houses at Woodbury Middle School and the Transitions building and the Multicultural event at Park High School. Next week there will be an open house at Woodbury High School and Kindergarten welcome night. Ryan shared SoWashCo CARES May Mixer will be held on May 2nd at 7:00pm and they are piloting the Dolly Parton’s imagination library in St. Paul Park. Simi shared from the City of Woodbury Committee: The Central Park renovation is proceeding, and the district will be back in the building this fall as planned. The space will allow for direct access for our students and staff. Woodbury has started its water pipeline project and is in contact with the district around busing and other construction-related concerns.
Melinda Dols shared the following via email:
“916 Update
Building Tours:
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - Building Tours: Metro Heights Academy at 8:00 a.m. and Karner Blue Education Center at 9:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - School Board and Cabinet Dinner at 5:00 p.m. and School Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Building Tours: South Campus Education Center at 8:30 a.m. and Quora Education Center (Quora Secondary School and Eastview Academy) at 10:00 a.m.
Art Show: Thursday, April 24, 2025- Quora Education Center at 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Presentation: Emily Thomas, Technology Integration Analyst, presented an overview of how students engage with Makerspace at 916. She shared that students across most 916 sites participate in Makerspace activities up to four times a year. Some of the activities available include lego & duplo, robotics & programming, 3D printing and design, and low-tech engineering.”
7.0 Future Meeting Dates:
April 24, 2025 – School Board Business Meeting (DSC/6:00 p.m.)
May 8, 2025 - School Board Workshop Meeting (DSC/6:00 p.m.)
8.0 Closed Session: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes sections 13D.05, subdivision 2(a)(3) and 121A.47, subdivision 5, to consider private educational data and the proposed expulsion of a student enrolled in the District. At 7:45pm it was moved by Simi Patnaik, seconded by Melinda Dols to move to closed session. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
At 8:06 it was moved by Ryan Clarke, seconded by Simi Patnaik to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. It was moved by Simi Patnaik, seconded by Eric Tessmer to approve the expulsion resolution. A roll call was taken, all in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
9.0 Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 8:08pm.