April 24, 2025 Business Meeting
April 24, 2025 Business Meeting
48 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 24, 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 Julie Nielsen was present.
2.0 Pledge of Allegiance
3.0 Approval of Agenda: It was moved by Sharon Van Leer, seconded by Melinda Dols to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
4.0 Comments to the Board: Jerome Kustritz addressed the board regarding volunteer work.
5.0 Student Highlights
5.1 Student District Ambassadors
Julie Nielsen, Superintendent
Ciara McDonough, Julianna Palacious and Taehgan Vue shared their role as a District Ambassador.
5.2 National Merit Scholarship Recipients & Presidential Scholars
Kelly Jansen, Assistant Superintendent
East Ridge and Woodbury High School principals introduced their students.
6.0 Consent Items: It was moved by Eric Tessmer, seconded by Sharon Van Leer to approve the consent agenda items. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
6.1 Retirements, Resignations and Terminations
6.3 New Employees/Change of Status
6.5 Resolution to Accept Gifts
6.6 March 27, 2024 School Board Business Meeting Minutes
6.7 April 10, 2025 School Board Workshop Meeting Minutes
6.9 Lease Agreement - Apple iPads
6.11 Classroom Radon Testing Results
6.12 Cottage Grove & Lake Middle School Additions & Renovations
6.13 Bid Package #2 for Park High School
6.14 Lease Extension with Valley Creek Mall LLC
6.15 Cooperative Agreement with City of Woodbury for Pedestrian Improvement
6.16 Agreement with the City of Cottage Grove
6.17 Agreement with the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District
7.0 Information Items:
7.1 Long-Range Facilities Planning Update
Tyrone Brookins, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Brookins shared the considerations, anticipated enrollment, community development and next steps.
8.0 Action Items:
Julie Nielsen, Superintendent
It was moved by Sharon Van Leer, seconded by Simi Patnaik to approve the changes. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
8.2 Resolution for Unrequested Leave of Absence
Abby Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations
It was moved by Eric Tessmer, seconded by Sharon Van Leer to approve the resolution. A roll call vote was taken. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
9.0 Superintendent Report: Ms. Nielsen reported on testing in the schools, student award ceremonies, Cottage Grove Community Showcase and the May 2nd SoWashCo Education Foundation event.
10.0 Future Meeting Dates:
May 8, 2025 - School Board Workshop Meeting (DSC/6:00p.m.)
May 22, 2025 - School Board Business Meeting (DSC/6:00p.m.)
11.0 Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:48pm.