Agenda 

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, November 20, 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 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 Louise Hinz to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.

4.0 Comments to the Board: At this time, individuals may speak to the School Board on any item relating to South Washington County Schools. The Board will not respond to or discuss your comments. Vulgarity, Character abuse or specific complaints identifying staff, students or task force members will not be permitted. The Superintendent may be asked to prepare a response to your concerns. The comments to the board period will be held open for up to thirty (30) minutes in total. Each speaker is permitted to speak for up to three (3) minutes in total. The School Board will allow up to three (3) speakers per topic. At three minutes, the microphone will be turned off and we will move on to the next speaker or next agenda item.

Linda Stanton, spoke to the board about Title IX, Cathay Geister spoke to the Board about Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) labor negotiations, and Pam Olson spoke to the Board about OPEIU labor negotiations.

5.0 Consent Items: It was moved by Sharon Van Leer, seconded by Simi Patnaik, to approve the consent agenda. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.

5.1 Retirements, Resignations and Terminations

5.2 Leaves of Absence

5.3 New Employees/Change of Status

5.4 Electronic Fund Transfers

5.5 Resolution to Accept Gifts

5.6 October 23, 2025 School Board Business Meeting Minutes

5.7 November 6, 2025 School Board Workshop Meeting Minutes

5.8 Cash Disbursements

5.9 Language Access Plan

5.10 Lease Extension with Valley Creek Mall, LLC

5.11 Extended Field Trips

5.12 Middleton Elementary Renovation Bids

5.13 November 13, 2025 School Board Special Meeting Minutes

6.0 Information Items:

6.1  Construction Update: Construction Update presented by Dr. Tyrone Brookins, Assistant Superintendent and Alex Slocum, Construction Project Manager. They shared updates on the progress at East Ridge, Park and Woodbury High Schools and Red Rock Elementary School. 
6.1 PPT

6.2 Lease Levy Update presented by Dr. Tyrone Brookins, Assistant Superintendent, Alex Slocum, Construction Project Manger. They shared updates on the Transitions Program Building.
6.2 PPT           

7.0 Action Items:

7.1 Proposed Policy Changes: Proposed Policy Changes presented by Ms. Julie Nielsen, Superintendent. It was moved by Melinda Dols, seconded by Sharon Van Leer to approve the changes. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.

213     704        801        801.4     802

805     806.2     806.3     806.4     807

7.2 Academic Calendar  2026-27 presented by Ms. Julie Nielsen, Superintendent. It was moved by Simi Patnaik, seconded by Louise Hinz to approve the calendar. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.

7.3 Tentative Agreement with South Washington County Principal Association presented by Ms. Abby Baker, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations. It was moved by Sharon Van Leer, seconded by Simi Patnaik to approve the agreement. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.

8.0 Superintendent Report: Superintendent Nielsen highlighted an upcoming test of district’s emergency communication system for staff and families, discussed the upcoming teacher holiday break (Nov. 26-28), highlighted the upcoming middle school information nights (Dec. 1 and Dec. 3) and elementary information night with a date to be decided in December, and discussed Give to the Max Day, encouraging people to consider giving to the SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation.

9.0 Future Meeting Dates:

December 11, 2025 - School Board Business Meeting (DSC/6:00p.m.)

January 8, 2026 - School Board Business & Workshop Meetings (DSC/6:00p.m.)

10.0 Adjournment